The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has mourned the death of an officer killed during a violent raid on a notorious drug enclave in Bonny Island, Rivers State, even as operatives of the agency arrested six suspects and recovered a large cache of illicit drugs.
Operatives of the NDLEA had stormed the Ama Hausa area of Bonny Island—an enclave widely known for drug trafficking and other criminal activities—on Friday, 6 February 2026, following actionable intelligence. The coordinated operation resulted in the arrest of six suspects and the seizure of various illicit substances, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, skunk and tramadol.
The operation, however, took a tragic turn when the suspects, led by their gang leader, Genesis George Benson, mobilised armed hoodlums to attack NDLEA operatives in a desperate bid to evade arrest. During the ensuing violent confrontation, Chief Narcotic Agent Sadiq Bako Mujahid sustained severe head injuries.
Mujahid was immediately rushed to the Bonny Island General Hospital for urgent medical attention but later succumbed to his injuries.
Despite the ferocious attack and the loss of their colleague, NDLEA operatives stood their ground, overpowered the assailants and successfully apprehended all six targets of the raid. Those arrested include Genesis George Benson, identified as the mastermind behind the attack that led to the officer’s death, as well as ThankGod Okon, Shamsudden Isah, Muhammed Musa, Adamu Muhammed and Muhammed Yusuf.
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, the Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said the agency would not be deterred by violent resistance from criminal networks.
Reacting to the incident, Marwa commended the courage, professionalism and resilience of the operatives involved, describing their actions as a testament to the agency’s unwavering resolve to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs.
“I salute the gallantry of our men who refused to be intimidated by these criminal elements. Even after the cowardly attack on Mujahid, our operatives ensured that the assailants were overpowered and arrested, and their illicit substances confiscated. His sacrifice will not be in vain,” Marwa said.
While mourning the fallen officer, the NDLEA boss described Mujahid as a disciplined and courageous operative who paid the ultimate price in service to the nation. He extended the agency’s deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, his colleagues and the NDLEA Rivers State Command.
“Any attack on our officers is an attack on the Nigerian state, and it will not go without dire consequences. We remain undeterred in our mission to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs, and we will continue to take the fight to the enclaves of these merchants of death,” Marwa warned.
The NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations nationwide to dismantle drug syndicates and ensure that all those responsible for attacks on law enforcement officers are brought to justice.
