An operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), identified only as Jide, was shot and killed by suspected drug traffickers during a sting operation in Ondo town, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area, Ondo State.
The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at a residential apartment in the Ita’nla area, where NDLEA operatives were acting on intelligence regarding a hidden cache of narcotics.
According to eyewitness accounts, the NDLEA team had stormed the building after receiving a tip-off that drugs were concealed in the ceiling of the residence.
“They got intelligence that some drugs were stored inside the building. The team arrived very early and went in to recover the items. Officer Jide was standing outside, on guard, when he was suddenly ambushed,” a source told journalists.
Suspected members of the drug syndicate reportedly emerged from a concealed position and opened fire on the officer. He was shot in the neck and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, said swift reinforcements were deployed to the scene.
“We have arrested four prime suspects in connection with the attack. A single-barrel firearm was recovered from the suspects,” Ayanlade stated during a phone interview.
He added that investigations are ongoing in collaboration with the NDLEA to ensure that all those responsible for the killing are brought to justice.
