By Fawaz Adebisi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has ignited a manhunt for a notorious drug dealer in Lekki, Lagos, who not only managed to escape arrest but also left one of its officer injured during a daring getaway.
This was disclosed by the agency Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a statement, on Wednesday.
According to the statement the incident unfolded on August 18 when NDLEA’s anti-narcotics officers descended on the residence of the elusive drug dealer, Sowunmi Ayodeji Kayode, situated at 2/3 Adetola Ayeni Close, Lekki, Lagos.
Acting on reliable intelligence, the officers had strong reason to suspect that Sowunmi was conducting an illicit drug trade within the confines of his residence.
However, the situation escalated rapidly. By the time the NDLEA officers arrived, Sowunmi was nowhere to be found, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the operation.
The statement disclosed that the unpredictability of the situation took a dramatic turn when Sowunmi unexpectedly returned to his residence, catching everyone off guard.
The statement disclosed that in an attempt to avoid apprehension, he employed his luxury car as a weapon, striking an NDLEA officer in a desperate bid to escape.
It was said that the officer suffered severe injuries, including compound fractures in both legs, necessitating immediate medical attention.
Unfazed by the chaos he had created, Sowunmi used his car to ram through his own gate, propelling himself into a neighboring property’s fence.
The force of impact was so significant that it brought down the concrete wall, leaving bystanders in shock and awe, according to the statement.
Having abandoned his vehicle, Sowunmi fled the scene on foot, leaving the authorities scrambling to piece together the puzzle he had left behind.
An ensuing search of Sowunmi’s residence uncovered a substantial stash of illegal drugs, with a total weight of 10.5 kilograms.
As news of the incident spread, NDLEA’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), took decisive action.
He authorized the deployment of specialized NDLEA assets to track down Sowunmi Ayodeji Kayode and ensure his arrest.
Furthermore, General Marwa has committed to providing the injured officer with the best possible medical care, with hopes of a swift recovery.
