National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) enforcement officers on Saturday reportedly jumped into the River Ethiope while pursuing fleeing suspects at Obiaruku in Ukwuani local government area of Delta State and one of the officers got drowned.
The identities of the officers and the suspects involved could not be immediately confirmed.
The drug enforcement operation however turned fatal after the body of the deceased officer was later recovered from the river but the suspects being pursued reportedly escaped through the river.
According to community sources, a suspected drug offender who had been apprehended across the river reportedly jumped into the water while being taken towards the River Ethiope Bridge in an attempt to escape.
The officers pursuing the suspect subsequently entered the river in an effort to apprehend him while one of the officers reportedly drowned, while another was rescued and taken to a hospital for medical attention.
Community sources said traditional rites associated with drowning incidents in Obiaruku were performed before the remains were released to the relevant authorities.
The sources said the rites included the provision of a goat and other items.
As of the time of filing this report, sources at the NDLEA had not officially commented on the incident but it assured residents of the area and the wider Delta State of a thorough investigation into the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bright Edafe, urged the public to remain calm.
Recall that in May this year, the Delta State Police Command clarified the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of personnel of the Nigeria Forest Security Service and a civilian, Adama Augustine, during a joint patrol operation in Ogwashi-Uku.
The incident reportedly happened along the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku Road near Mega Chis, during a routine patrol involving police operatives and personnel of the Nigeria Forest Security Service.
Members of the patrol team sighted two men who allegedly fled on noticing the security operatives, prompting forest officers attached to the patrol to pursue them.
During the chase, Augustine reportedly ran into an uncompleted building and jumped inside in an attempt to escape. One of the forest officers who continued the pursuit allegedly followed him into the building, but both men accidentally fell into an abandoned open well and drowned.
The police said the victims were later rescued from the well and rushed to Ogwashi General Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed them dead.
Their remains have since been deposited at the hospital morgue pending autopsy.
Describing the incident as painful and unfortunate, the command extended condolences to the family of the deceased forest officer, identified as Mr Eze Ifeanyi, and to the family of Adama Augustine.
