Benin City — Suspected hoodlums have attacked the residence of a staff of a federal anti-narcotics enforcement agency, Mr. Trevor Oziegbe Osarobo Uwaifo, in the Upper Sakponba area of Benin City, Edo State, vandalising his property while he and members of his family were away.
The incident, which occurred recently, has heightened concerns over the safety of security officers engaged in combating organised crime and illicit trafficking.
Eyewitnesses told journalists that the assailants arrived in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, which they parked a few metres away from the residence before gaining access to the compound after confirming that no one was at home.
According to eyewitness accounts, the hoodlums fired sporadic gunshots into the air, causing panic in the neighbourhood, before vandalising a vehicle parked within the compound, damaging parts of the building and destroying other personal belongings.
“The whole operation did not last more than 10 minutes,” an eyewitness said. “After damaging the car and the house, they returned to their vehicle and sped off.”
No casualty was recorded during the attack.
Investigations revealed that Uwaifo, an Area Commander of the federal anti-narcotics agency in Auchi, Edo State, had reportedly been receiving several threats prior to the attack on his residence in April 2024.
Sources said the threats were allegedly linked to his role in the arrest and prosecution of suspected drug barons and other hardened criminals involved in illicit activities.
Residents said the officer, known for his firm stance against illegal drug operations, usually had security personnel attached to him, who were not present at the time of the incident. However, the security risks associated with aggressively tackling crimes linked to the illicit drug trade have reportedly exposed him to repeated threats, with the latest attack believed to be connected to his professional engagements.
As of press time, it was unclear whether any arrests had been made in connection with the incident, as efforts to obtain official reactions from security agencies were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, residents of Upper Sakponba have called on security agencies to intensify patrols in the area, expressing fears that the incident could be part of a broader pattern of targeted attacks on law enforcement officers.
The incident has renewed calls for improved protection and support for security operatives who remain vulnerable to reprisals from criminal networks in the discharge of their statutory duties.
