The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched a manhunt for a Lekki Lagos-based notorious drug dealer who ran over an anti-narcotic agent.

A statement by NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, on Wednesday in Abuja, said the suspect, Sowunmi Ayodeji-Kayode, drove his luxury car recklessly to escape and, in the process, crushed the NDLEA officer.

Mr Babafemi said anti-narcotics officers, on August 18, raided the residence of the wanted drug dealer located at 2/3 Adetola Ayeni Close, Lekki, Lagos, following credible intelligence that he was dealing in illicit drugs in the house.

He said the suspect was not around when the operatives arrived at his residence but returned while searching his apartment.

“Although he was not in the house when operatives got into his compound, he, however, returned while a search of his apartment was ongoing.

“In a dramatic twist, as soon as he drove into the premises and sighted NDLEA officers, he engaged his car in reverse gear, knocked down one of the officers, and pulled down his gate before plunging the vehicle into the fence of the opposite compound.

“The force of his car’s speed also pulled down the concrete wall of his neighbour’s compound, and from there, he dived out of the vehicle to escape,” Mr Babafemi explained.

He said 10.5 kg of Loud was recovered in his apartment.

“A thorough search of his apartment, however, led to the recovery of 10.5 kilograms of Loud, while the operative knocked down suffered multiple injuries all over his body and compound fracture on his two legs, for which he is currently on hospital admission for treatment,“ he said.

Mr Babafemi quoted the NDLEA chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa as directing the deployment of appropriate operational assets of the agency to smoke out the wanted suspect from hiding.

Mr Marwa also approved adequate medical care for the injured officer so that he could get back on his feet soon.

(NAN)