The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Kogi State, Berthrand Onuoha, has initiated an investigation into the reported clash between his officers and the officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state. A statement issued by the police command's spokesperson, Williams Ovye-Aya, in Lokoja, conveyed the commissioner's surprise regarding the alleged incident.
Mr. Berthrand, while expressing his disapproval of the incident, stated that the clash could have been avoided as it resulted from a misunderstanding between the personnel of both agencies.
The incident unfolded when NDLEA operatives trailed a woman, who was later identified as the wife of a Police Inspector assigned to the Area Command in Lokoja. They found her near a car parked in front of Bishop Delisle College, opposite the Area Command Office. The woman was arrested and taken into an NDLEA vehicle with the intent to remove her. However, one of the police officers stationed at the gate of the Area Command Office challenged the NDLEA officials. Unbeknownst to him, the woman had been trailed to the car and was also arrested with a package of a suspected substance, believed to be Indian hemp.
Fortunately, a senior police officer intervened in the situation and restored order, allowing the woman to be taken away by NDLEA operatives without any further incident.
The specific police officer involved, an Inspector, has been taken into custody and is currently under investigation. An orderly room trial has been initiated in this regard, as confirmed by the CP.
The Commissioner of Police emphasized the commitment of the police command to maintaining strong collaboration with other security agencies in the state, aiming to achieve the best possible results.
He further advised all personnel of the command, particularly those in junior positions, to exercise restraint and avoid excessive zeal in the discharge of their duties to prevent any such unwarranted incidents.
When reached for comment, the Kogi NDLEA Commander, Olusegun Adeyeye, verified the occurrence of the incident and confirmed that both the woman and the suspected substance were already in the custody of the agency.
Mr. Adeyeye stated, "The suspect in question and the substance are in our custody. Investigations have been initiated to ensure that the legal process is followed."
