One Dead, Three Injured in Gun Battle Between NDLEA Operatives and Drug Barons in Edo

One person has been confirmed dead while three others sustained injuries during a gun battle between suspected drug barons and operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Okpuje, Uzeba community, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The deceased, identified as 16-year-old Emmanuel Monday, was reportedly caught in the crossfire, while those injured include an NDLEA officer, Godspower Omage, aged 20, and a 54-year-old man, Ajayi Irobia.

Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, confirmed the incident, explaining that agency operatives were on an official mission when they came under attack from armed drug traffickers. He noted that Okpuje and its environs are known hotspots for cannabis sativa cultivation and trafficking.

Following the incident, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for Edo State, ASP Eno Ikoedem, in a statement, said the State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, visited the affected community to commiserate with the bereaved family and assess the situation firsthand.

The statement added that the Police Commissioner met with the parents of the deceased boy and held a peace meeting with community leaders and youths in a bid to forestall further unrest.

Agbonika also visited the Godswill Memorial Nursing Centre in Uzeba, where the injured — Godspower Omage and Ajayi Irobia — were receiving treatment. He assured them of justice and pledged the Police Command’s full support throughout the investigation.

The Commissioner later inspected the mortuary where the remains of Emmanuel Monday were deposited and ordered an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death.

According to the police statement, the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Benin City for a thorough and impartial investigation.

ASP Ikoedem noted that the Edo State Police Command remains committed to ensuring justice for all parties involved while maintaining peace, protecting lives, and upholding the rule of law across the state.