Three officers of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were shot and injured during a raid in Abuja’s Jahi area on April 17, 2025.
The incident happened late Thursday night as the team targeted an uncompleted building in the NNPC area, acting on intelligence about drug activities.
The NDLEA team successfully seized 74 bottles of codeine, 10 liters of codeine syrup, 48 grams of tramadol, 4.9 kilograms of skunk (a potent cannabis strain), and five Android phones believed to belong to suspects.
As the officers left the site, armed men opened fire, wounding three team members. One officer was shot in the rib, another in the back, and a third in the leg. The injured were quickly taken to the Police Clinic in Garki Area 1 for stabilization before being moved to the National Hospital in Abuja for further treatment.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), praised the medical teams for their swift response. While in Kano for official duties, he spoke with the injured officers by phone, wishing them a speedy recovery. Marwa vowed to work with other security agencies to track down the attackers, emphasizing that such violence won’t deter the agency’s mission. Posts on X reflected public concern, with one user stating, “Three NDLEA officers shot in Abuja raid. This shows how risky their work is.”
Abuja has seen a rise in drug-related crimes, with traffickers exploiting uncompleted buildings as hideouts. The city’s status as Nigeria’s capital makes it a hub for both legitimate business and illicit activities. Codeine and tramadol, often abused as recreational drugs, remain a focus for the NDLEA, alongside cannabis variants like skunk. In 2024, the agency seized over 2,000 kilograms of illicit substances in the FCT alone, showing the scale of the challenge.
The officers’ injuries spark concern for the safety of those battling Nigeria’s drug trade. Across African cities like Lagos and Nairobi, law enforcement faces similar risks, often with limited resources. The NDLEA’s work is vital to curbing the spread of addiction, which affects communities and fuels crime. In Nigeria, where fashion and entertainment thrive, the drug trade threatens the vibrant culture celebrated in music videos and runway shows.
Marwa’s call for justice resonates with Nigerians who value safety and progress. The officers’ bravery, despite the ambush, deserves recognition. Their recovery is a priority, and the nation watches as authorities hunt for the gunmen. This incident underscores the need for stronger community support and better protection for those on the frontlines.