Heavy gunshots were fired in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday evening, October 28, 2025, as hoodlums launched a brazen attack on officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in an attempt to free an arrested drug kingpin.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred at Odunze Lane in Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt, at about 4:30 pm.

The hoodlums, allegedly armed with machetes and bottles, attacked the NDLEA officials who had arrested a suspect identified as Okpe.

The situation turned chaotic as the hoodlums threw stones and bottles at the officers, prompting them to fire shots into the air in self-defence.

It was learnt that some NDLEA personnel were injured in the process, and one of their vehicles was damaged.

However, sources said that despite the attack, the determined officers managed to take the suspect away to safety, just as business owners in the area hurriedly closed their shops, and passengers and commuters scrambled for safety as the mayhem unfolded.

The source said, “The suspect has been on the wanted list of the command. Shortly after his arrest, he raised an alarm, which attracted his colleagues, who started throwing bottles and other objects at our personnel. Some of our personnel were injured, and our vehicle was damaged.

“The suspect was arrested with a large exhibit, and he is in our custody.”

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the incident bears a striking resemblance to a similar attack in April 2023, where hoodlums attacked NDLEA officials and freed a suspected drug kingpin, Izuu a.k.a “50,” who was arrested and handcuffed at the same location.

The NDLEA is expected to issue an official statement on the incident, according to sources within the agency who confirmed the attack.

The Guardian recently reported that NDLEA operatives and Army personnel were attacked on Monday at Ukpuje town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, State commander of the NDLEA, who stated this in a statement, said an officer of the agency sustained an injury during the attack.

Ofoyeju, who said the community is notorious for cannabis cultivation and trafficking, noted that as the team advanced through the town, they encountered resistance from local cultivators, who ambushed them, resulting in an exchange of gunfire, which led the team to abort the operation before proceeding later.

He said a sharp object struck one officer on the hand, adding that the officer has since received medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery.

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. (The Guardian, but headline rejigged)