…Community demands traditional rites
CITIZENS COMPASS— A yet-to-be-identified officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Saturday, reportedly drowned in Delta State while chasing a suspected drug trafficker.
The NDLEA officer drowned into the Ethiope River at Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of the State.
A trending video captured the incident.
The video has information accompanying it which stated that the NDLEA officer alongside his colleague were reportedly attempting to apprehend suspected drug offenders when one of the suspects, who was allegedly being taken towards the Ethiope River Bridge, jumped into the river in an attempt to escape.
The officers reportedly followed the suspect into the river in an effort to apprehend him.
While one of the officers was reportedly rescued and taken to a hospital for medical attention, another was said to have drowned in the process.
The suspected offenders were also said to have escaped through the river.
Community sources said traditional rites associated with drowning incidents in the area were performed before the remains were released to the relevant authorities.
The sources claimed that items, including a goat, were provided as part of the traditional rites.
At press time, the NDLEA was yet to officially comment on the incident as of press time.
Spokesperson, Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, did not respond to enquiries when he was contacted by Citizens Compass.
