An operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), simply identified as Jide, has been shot d3ad by suspected drug peddlers in Ondo, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the tragic incident occurred during a sting operation in the early hours of Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at an apartment in the Ita’nla area of Ondo town, where the agency was acting on intelligence about hidden narcotics.
According to a source who spoke to journalists, the NDLEA team had stormed the building to recover drugs reportedly stashed in the ceiling of the residence.
“I guess the team got a tip that some drugs were stored inside the residential building at Ita’nla in Ondo. So, the officials came very early in a sting operation to bust the building,” the source said.
“Immediately they came in, some of them entered the building to recover the exhibits while the late officer, Jide, stood outside mounting sentry guard.”
It was gathered that some hoodlums, suspected to be members of the syndicate, emerged from nowhere and opened fire on him.
The officer was shot in the neck and was subsequently rushed to the hospital, but he was pronounced d3ad by medical personnel.
The spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview.
“Immediately it happened, we reinforced some of our officers to the scene. We have been able to arrest four prime suspects who are now in our custody,” the PPRO said.
He added that a single-barrel gun was recovered from the suspects, noting that investigations are ongoing in collaboration with the NDLEA to bring all those involved in the heinous attack to justice.
