The Edo State Police Command is investigating the alleged killing of a 16-year-old boy reportedly caught in a crossfire on Monday between officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Okpuje in Uzeba Community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State and suspected drug barons.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that the NDLEA had claimed in a statement on Tuesday that one of its officers was injured when a joint team of the agency and army personnel were engaged in a shoot-out with some suspected illicit drug dealers who ambushed them in the agrarian community notorious for cannabis cultivation.
The community later raised the alarm that one of its youths was killed in the process and accused the NDLEA of the killing.
The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju however claimed on Thursday that he was not aware that anybody was killed.
Explaining that the operation took place at about 8pm, he said the team had to fight back and retreat to ensure no one was injured. He said it was therefore not possible to know that someone was killed as members of the team fought to leave the place alive.
According to Ofoyeju, “I am hearing that someone was killed during the operation. What happened was that the NDLEA team was attacked as soon as it got into the town. They had to fight back and retreat but at that time, one of our officers was hit by a sharp object.
“I wonder why people will attack those who came to do their legitimate jobs with arms. The officials were not there to fight anyone but to do their jobs as stipulated by the Constitution.”
But confirming that a boy identified as Emmanuel George was killed in the gun battle, the Edo Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (DPPRO), Eno Ikoedem, an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) said in a statement that the commissioner of police, Monday Agbonika had visited the community to condole with the bereaved family and ascertain the true situation, visited the mortuary to see the remains of the deceased, as well as visited two others – Godspower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), who were hospitalised.
The statement by Ikoedem read, “In a swift and compassionate move, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika on the 28th of October 2025, visited Uzeba community in company with the Deputy Commissioner in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Isah Lawal, to assess the situation firsthand.
“During the visit, the CP paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family, particularly the parents of the deceased boy, Mr. and Mrs. Monday George, and offered words of comfort on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, Edo State Command.
“The CP also held a peace engagement with community leaders and youths, urging them to remain calm and not to take the law into their own hands. He emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and order, assuring them that the Police have taken over the case and are conducting a thorough and impartial investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. He reiterated that justice will be served and that the long arm of the law will catch up with anyone found culpable.
“Furthermore, the CP visited Godswill Memorial Nursing Centre, Uzeba, where he met Godspower Omage and Ajayi Irobia, who were receiving medical attention. He assured them of justice and police support.
“The CP also visited the mortuary where the remains of the deceased boy were deposited, and he arranged for an autopsy to determine the cause of death and ensure proper documentation for the ongoing investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be thoroughly investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Benin City”.
While assuring the public that updates on the investigation would be communicated as soon as credible findings emerged, the statement said the Edo State Police Command remained committed to upholding justice, maintaining peace, and ensuring the protection of lives and property across the state.
