A yet-to-be-identified officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reportedly drowned while pursuing a suspected drug offender into the Ethiope River at Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Saturday, was captured in a video circulating on social media and seen by Chronicles Reporters.
According to information accompanying the video, NDLEA officers were reportedly conducting an operation to apprehend suspected drug offenders when one of the suspects, who was allegedly being taken towards the Ethiope River Bridge, jumped into the river in an attempt to escape.
The officers reportedly followed the suspect into the river in an effort to apprehend him.
While one of the officers was said to have been rescued and taken to a hospital for medical attention, another reportedly drowned during the pursuit.
The suspected offenders were also said to have escaped through the river.
The body of the officer reportedly drowned was later recovered from the river.
Community sources said traditional rites associated with drowning incidents in the area were performed before the remains of the officer were released to the relevant authorities.
The sources further claimed that some items, including a goat, were provided as part of the traditional rites.
However, Chronicles Reporters could not independently verify the identities of the officers involved, the suspected offenders, or the circumstances surrounding the reported pursuit.
The NDLEA had not officially commented on the incident as of press time.
The incident brings to mind a similar tragedy recorded in August 2016, when an NDLEA officer attached to the Borno State Command drowned while pursuing a suspected drug baron.
The then NDLEA Commandant in Borno State, Ona Ogilegwu, told journalists that the incident occurred during an operation in the Gwange area of Maiduguri.
According to him, four officers of the command became involved in a water mishap after diving into the Gwange River in pursuit of the suspected drug baron.
He said the incident resulted in the death of one of the officers in hospital after efforts to revive him failed, while the surviving officers were subsequently discharged.
The latest incident in Delta has raised concerns over the dangers faced by law enforcement personnel during operations involving waterways, particularly when suspects attempt to evade arrest by entering rivers.
Further details, including the identity of the deceased officer, the condition of the rescued officer and the identities of the suspected offenders, are expected to emerge following an official statement from the NDLEA.