Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
OPERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a notorious drug enclave known as Ama Hausa in Bonny Island, Rivers State, arresting six suspects and recovering a substantial cache of illicit substances, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, skunk and tramadol.
Tragically, an NDLEA officer, Chief Narcotic Agent Sadiq Bako Mujahid, lost his life after sustaining severe head injuries during a violent confrontation triggered by the suspects.
The raid, carried out on Friday, 6 February 2026, targeted the Ama Hausa area of Bonny Island, widely regarded as a hub for criminal activity.
According to the agency, the operation was met with resistance when the alleged gang leader, Genesis George Benson, reportedly mobilised armed hoodlums to attack the operatives in a bid to evade arrest.
Despite the assault, NDLEA officers overpowered the attackers and apprehended all six primary targets of the operation. Those arrested include Benson, who is accused of being responsible for the fatal attack on the officer, as well as ThankGod Okon, Shamsudden Isah, Muhammed Musa, Adamu Muhammed and Muhammed Yusuf.
During the clash, Chief Narcotic Agent Mujahid sustained critical head injuries. He was rushed to the General Hospital in Bonny Island for emergency treatment but later succumbed to his injuries.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the courage and resilience of the operatives who carried out the raid.
“I salute the gallantry of our men who refused to be intimidated by these criminal elements. Even after the cowardly attack on Mujahid, our operatives ensured that the assailants were subdued and arrested, and their illicit substances confiscated. His sacrifice will not be in vain,” Marwa said.
While mourning the fallen officer, the NDLEA boss described Mujahid as a disciplined and courageous operative who paid the ultimate price in service to the nation.
“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, his colleagues and the Rivers State Command. Any attack on our officers is an attack on the state, and it will not go without serious consequences. We remain resolute in our mission to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs and will continue to take the fight to the enclaves of these merchants of death,” he added.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations against drug trafficking networks across the country, despite the risks faced by its personnel.
