Residents and passersby were thrown into panic on Tuesday evening after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reportedly fired gunshots into the air during an operation at the Nkpor Road axis of Iwofe in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The heavily armed operatives, who were spotted by our correspondent at the scene, reportedly stormed the area in two vans while wearing jackets bearing the NDLEA inscription.
The gunshots were reportedly fired as the operatives were leaving the area with some young men suspected of drug dealing, who were seen handcuffed inside their vehicles.
The incident caused panic as residents and passersby reportedly scampered for safety amid the sound of gunfire.
Sources said the operatives had raided a hideout believed to be used for drug peddling before arresting the suspects.
A similar operation was reportedly carried out in the Mile 3 axis of Diobu on Monday, where other suspected drug dealers were also arrested.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the NDLEA command for comments on the operations and the circumstances surrounding the reported gunshots were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
