Panic broke out along Upper Sakponba Road in Benin City on Friday after officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reportedly fired several gunshots into the air while chasing the driver of an articulated truck.

The incident occurred near the Edo State NDLEA Command gate, causing confusion and fear among residents, traders, and motorists in the bustling area.

The Chase

According to eyewitnesses, the chaos began when the truck driver allegedly hit an NDLEA operational vehicle and refused to stop. The officer whose vehicle was damaged immediately alerted his colleagues stationed at the agency’s gate, prompting a pursuit.

An eyewitness who identified himself as Frank told reporters that the officers opened fire into the air to force the driver to stop.

“The shooting caused commotion, as traders and residents took to their heels, probably to avoid being hit by stray bullets,” Frank said. “Others were confused, not sure of what caused the sporadic gunshots.”

NDLEA’s Response

One NDLEA officer, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that the shooting was to compel the driver to halt after he refused repeated orders to stop.

“It was a simple thing. The truck hit our men’s vehicle, and they wanted him to stop so they could settle the matter, but he refused,” the officer said.
“Even after we deflated about seven tyres, the driver was still speeding. We eventually caught him and brought him back to our office.”

Command Reacts

Reacting to the incident, the Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, described the episode as a “simple case,” emphasizing that the officers’ actions were not intended to cause panic among the public.

“The issue is a simple one. The officers were just trying to ensure that the truck driver stopped after hitting their vehicle,” Ofoyeju explained.
“The gunshots were not meant to cause panic but to stop an errant driver.”

Residents React

Meanwhile, some residents of the area have called on security agencies to exercise greater restraint during public operations, especially in densely populated areas like Upper Sakponba, where stray bullets could lead to casualties.

“Even if it’s to stop someone, shooting in the air like that in a busy area is dangerous. People were running in all directions,” said a trader at Oka Market.

The truck and its driver were later taken into custody at the NDLEA command for further investigation.