The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its reputation for upholding the rule of law, fundamental human rights of citizens and adherence to international best practices in the discharge of its statutory mandate remains consolidated.

The Agency has therefore clarified that contrary to media reports, its operation on the night of Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at the New Jerusalem axis of Bonny Island was not responsible for the death of a resident, Madam Kelechi Ibe.

The Agency issued this disclaimer via a statement by its Deputy State Commander Operations in Rivers State, Emmanuel Ogbumgbada on Thursday, October 24, 2024 which was made available to Kristina Reports in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to the statement, the operation, which was jointly executed with the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny, targeted four suspects, which included the deceased, Madam Kelechi Ibe, earlier profiled and being surveilled by the Agency.

“On the 23rd of October 2024, at about 0045hours, a team of NDLEA operatives went for a joint operation with Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny Island personnel, to the house of a notorious drug dealer in person of Madam Juliet lbe (AKA Kelechi, Mama G) who had been arrested before by the NDLEA Bonny Area Command on the 20th of October 2023, counseled and released on bail.”

“Information acquired by the Agency’s Intelligence Unit had it that the said woman continued the drug business and a pre-purchase of two wraps of Loud at the cost of N500 each was made in confirmation on the 8th of October, 2024.”

“Based on the information and pre-purchase, a joint raid operation was carried out. On reaching the suspect’s house, the officers introduced themselves and their mission to conduct a search.”

“The search was conducted in her presence and nothing incriminating was found. In regards to that, the officers withdrew from her house even though she admitted dealing in drugs.”

“She was the second suspect of the operation amongst four others, thus, the officers proceeded on the remaining two suspects for the operation and they were all arrested with exhibits. After a successful operation, the officers brought the suspects and recovered exhibits back to the office for further investigation.”

The Agency said it was therefore bewildered when hours later a group of boys arrived at its office with the corpse of the deceased claiming she died after its operatives left her residence, stating that its investigation revealed that she died as a result of an underlying health condition she has been managing.

“While in the office, at about 0530hours, a group of boys were sighted in front of the office with the corpse of Madam Juliet Ibe (AKA Kelechi, Mama G), claiming that she died after the officers had left her house.”

“In a bid to calm the situation, contact was made with the heads of all the security agencies in the Island, the Youth Leader and other stakeholders who responded swiftly. The matter was then brought under control when the police and the representative of the Youths took the corpse and deposited at the Mortuary.”

“However, further investigation has revealed that the said Madam Juliet lbe (AKA Kelechi, Mama G) died in the hospital as a result of her underlying health condition that she has been managing.”

“Internal investigations confirm that the NDLEA operatives did not in any way manhandle the suspect or any member of her family, neither was she tasered. NDLEA continues to respect the fundamental human rights of everybody, including suspects under its purview.”