Boy, 16 killed, 6 injured in NDLEA, suspected drug barons clash in Edo

By Editor 

Oct 31, 2025

A 16-year-old student was reported shot dead while six others sustained degrees of gunshot injuries during an alleged attack involving the combined team of military and personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), suspected drug barons, and cannabis cultivators in Edo State.

DailyMonitorngr reports that the attack occurred on October 27, 2025, at Okpuje Community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Among the injured persons is an officer of NDLEA who was shot on the hand during the attack and is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the state.

The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku disclosed this at the plenary sitting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

Agbebaku, who condemned the alleged killing, expressed sympathy to the deceased, the injured victims and their families.

While urging the Commissioner of Police in the State, Monday Agbonika, to investigate the accident, he, however, alleged that it was carried out by the men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The Speaker, who said the House was not against NDLEA carrying out its constitutional duties, however, advised that the agency must do its work diligently and professionally. 

According to him, invading a peaceful community in the dead of the night and shooting sporadically led to this situation.

"As an Assembly, we are deeply saddened and outraged by the senseless act of gunshots that occurred in the community yesterday, the 27th of October. 

"I condemn this act in the strongest possible terms. We will work tirelessly with the Police to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and that our community is safe and supportive for all residents.

"This incident is a grave reminder that the sanctity of human life in our nation continues to be undermined by those meant to protect it. 

"We cannot continue to watch innocent citizens being brutalised and murdered without consequence. Justice must be served for the deceased and all those injured.

"Okpuje deserves peace, not pain. Our people deserve justice, not bullets. We will not be silent until every life lost to lawlessness receives justice”, he said.

He also appealed to the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo to wade in and ensure that those responsible for the act are brought to book.

The Speaker, who expressed deep sorrow over the attack and described it as “an unprovoked and unacceptable act of brutality against innocent citizens.

He alleged that this was not the first time such unprofessional and deadly operations have been carried out in rural communities under the guise of law enforcement.

He called on the NDLEA, the Nigerian Army, and other relevant security agencies to launch an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation into the incident to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act are held accountable.

Agbebaku, however, gave the sum of N1million to take care of the medical bills of the injured victims 

Dailymonitorngr gathered that some of the injured victims were shot in the legs and stomach.

Those who sustained gunshot injuries are Obaide Gift, Oje Idowu, Irodia Ajayi, Jebba Samuel and Omage Godspower.

Recalls that the Edo State Commander of NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, had, in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City, on Monday, October 27, 202,5, said gunmen suspected to be cannabis cultivators and drug traffickers attacked the combined team of personnel of the agency and the military during an operation at the Okpuje community.

Ofoyeju said the operation was part of a strategy to tackle the growing menace of drug abuse and trafficking in the state. 

He alleged that the community is notorious for cannabis cultivation and trafficking.

"As the team advanced through the town, they encountered resistance from local cultivators, who ambushed them, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. The hostile environment forced the team to abort the operation and retreat for safety. 

"Our mission here is to ensure that illegal drug activities are disrupted, particularly in areas notorious for drug cultivation. Although we faced resistance. We are grateful that no lives were lost, and our team was able to carry out the operation efficiently.

"The raid in Ukpuje is part of a broader strategy by the NDLEA to combat drug trafficking and promote community safety. Illicit cannabis cultivation has long been a challenge in the area", he added.