BY NKECHI BAECHE-ESEZOBOR—He went out on duty determined to rid his community of dangerous drugs, but he did not return home. Chief Narcotic Agent Sadiq Bako Mujahid of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) lost his life during a violent raid on a notorious drug enclave in Bonny Island, Rivers State, after suspects mobilised armed hoodlums to attack operatives in a desperate bid to evade arrest.
His death has cast a shadow over an operation that successfully dismantled a major drug network, arrested six suspects, including the gang leader, Genesis George Benson, who is responsible for the death of the NDLEA operative.
The operatives also recovered large quantities of illicit substances, underscoring the heavy price paid by officers on the frontlines of Nigeria’s war against drugs.
Other suspects arrested during the strategic operation at the Ama Hausa area of Bonny Island, a well-known hub for criminal activities, on Friday 6th February 2026, include: ThankGod Okon; Shamsudden Isah; Muhammed Musa; Adamu Muhammed; and Muhammed Yusuf.
The operation took a tragic turn when one of the suspects, Genesis George Benson, mobilized a group of armed hoodlums to attack the operatives in a bid to escape arrest. During the ensuing violent confrontation, a dedicated officer, Chief Narcotic Agent Sadiq Bako Mujahid, sustained severe head injuries. Despite being rushed immediately to the Bonny Island General Hospital for emergency medical attention, Mujahid unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the bravery and resilience of the officers who stood their ground despite the brutal attack. “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. Their sacrifice will not be in vain.”
While mourning the loss of Mujahid, Marwa described him as a disciplined and courageous officer who paid the ultimate price in the service of his fatherland. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, his colleagues, and the Rivers State Command.”
“Any attack on our officers is an attack on the 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”, the NDLEA boss warned.
