The Edo State Police Command on Thursday said it had opened a probe into the death of 16-year-old Emmanuel George as a joint team of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the army personnel clashed in Okpuje in Uzeba Community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Edo State Police Command Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, on Thursday.
Two others, Godspower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), were said to have been hospitalised.
PUNCH Metro reported that a joint team of the NDLEA officers and soldiers was attacked by drug barons in the agrarian community, notable for cannabis cultivation.
In a statement after the attack by the Edo State commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, it was stated that one of its officers sustained an injury after being struck on the hand with a sharp object.
Ofoyeju told our correspondent on Thursday that the team to Okpuje had come under heavy attack when it went to the community to check the activities of the drug barons.
He said the operation took place at about 2 am on Monday, and the team had to fight back and retreat when they came under fire to ensure no one was injured. He said it was not possible to know that someone was killed as members of the team fought to leave the place alive.
He said, “I am hearing that someone was killed during the operation. What happened was that the NDLEA team was attacked as soon as they 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.”
However, the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has visited the community to condole with the bereaved family and ascertain the true situation.
The statement by Ikoedem read,”In a swift and compassionate move, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, on October 28, 2025, visited Uzeba community in the company of 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 had taken over the case and were conducting a thorough and impartial investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. He reiterated that justice would be served and that the long arm of the law would 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.”
It was stated that 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, Benin City. The command assures the general public that updates on the investigation will be communicated as soon as credible findings emerge. The Edo State Police Command remains committed to upholding justice, maintaining peace, and ensuring the protection of lives and property across the state”, the statement noted.
The NDLEA in recent months has also raided spots known for illicit drug sales in the state to arrest dealers. Some of the spots visited include Ihama in the GRA, Abuaja Quarters in Ugbor, Upper Sakponba, and Wire Road.
Also, some of the interesting cases include the interception of a truck along Wareke-Auchi Road, conveying 82 bags of cannabis concealed in bags of charcoal with a total weight of 1,025 kg.
It has also got barons and dealers convicted while seizing drugs and held sensitisation programmes to address the ills of drug abuse in the state.
In August, one conviction was secured in drug-related cases, while four additional cases have been charged, and 118 cases are ongoing at the Federal High Court in Benin City.
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