Tension was high in Pankshin, Plateau State on Monday when officials
of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) shot guns
sporadically in the air while chasing a drug suspect in a market.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the people, on hearing
gunshots, scampered for safety with several of them injured, while
properties were destroyed.
Some of the traders, who ran out into the streets, were knocked down by moving vehicles.
It was, however, gathered that the suspect eventually disappeared within the market.
A witness, Mrs Sarah Gofwen, told NAN that the officials of the NDLEA
were hotly chasing the drug suspect, who ran into the market, to escape
arrest.
“When the suspect ran into the market, they (officials) went after
him in the crowd but shot their guns into the air to scare away people
who might prevent them from arresting the suspect.
“It was at that point that the marketers took to their heels,
suspecting that it was an attack on the town by gunmen or herdsmen, ’’
she narrated.
Mr John Danjuma, a motorist, said, “If it were not for the mercies of
God, some people would have gotten killed by fast moving vehicles
drivers, who were also on the run for escape.’’
Reacting, Mrs Naomi Golmwen, Management Committee Chairman of
Pankshin Council, described the situation as “very unfortunate’’ as it
disrupted activities in the market.
She advised the NDLEA officials to be more careful in executing their
lawful duties, not to cause harm and destruction of wares of innocent
marketers and buyers.
Contacted, the Plateau Police Command’s Public Relations Officer
(PPRO), Mr Mathias Tyopev, confirmed the incident, adding that there was
no live lost.
Acccoding to him, those who sustained injuries have been taken to the Pankshin General Hospital for treatment.
Tyopev called on the people to remain calm and go about their normal
duties since the problem was between NDLEA and drug suspects in the
town.