NDLEA launches manhunt after Lekki drug dealer who crushed operative to escape arrest
by: Bada Faramolaoluwa
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday said it has launched a manhunt after a Lekki-based notorious drug dealer, Sowunmi Ayodeji, who was said to have crushed an NDLEA officer in his bid to escape arrest last weekend.
According to the NDLEA, Ayodeji who is now on the run, drove his luxury car to crush an NDLEA officer in his bid to escape arrest when operatives were on a search of his house last weekend.
The manhunt by the NDLEA was made known in a press statement on Wednesday signed by the Agency’s Director on Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, a copy of which was made available to NewsDirect.
“Anti-narcotics officers of the Agency had on Friday 18th August stormed the residence of the wanted drug dealer located at 2/3 Adetola Ayeni close, Lekki, Lagos for a search and possible arrest following credible intelligence that he was dealing in illicit drugs in his house.
“Although, he was not in his house when the operatives got into his compound, he however returned when a search of his apartment was ongoing.
“In a dramatic twist, as soon as he drove into his premises and sighted NDLEA officers, he engaged his car in reverse gear, knocked down one of the officers, pulled down his gate before plunging his vehicle into the fence of the opposite compound.
“The force of his car’s speed also pulled down the concrete wall of his neighbour’s compound and from there he dived out of the vehicle to escape.
“A thorough search of his apartment however led to the recovery of 10.5 kilograms of Loud, while the operative knocked down suffered multiple injuries all over his body and compound fracture on his two legs, for which he is currently on hospital admission for treatment.
“Following the unpleasant development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has directed the deployment of appropriate operational assets of the Agency to smoke out the wanted suspect from his hiding.
“He also approved adequate medical care for the injured officer so that he can get back on his feet as soon as possible,” the statement read.
