NDLEA Operatives Allegedly Assault Passersby, Raid Akure Mall, Arrest Car Wash Manager

Operatives of the Nigeria's anti-narcotics agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have reportedly stormed a car wash and lounge in Ondo State, causing passersby and workers to flee amid claims of intimidation and assault.

The incident which occurred on Friday evening, August 14, 2026, at a popular Akure Mall in the Alagbaka area of the state capital, triggered panic and apprehension.

The alleged conduct of the operatives has triggered a formal complaint to the leadership of the anti-drug agency, with a resident, Olúyẹmí Fásípè, calling for an investigation into the raid and the conduct of officers involved.

According to an open letter of complaint addressed to the NDLEA national leadership, the operatives arrived at the commercial premises while allegedly handling their firearms in a manner that frightened people in the surrounding business environment.

The complaint said the operation caused several people to run for safety as the officers moved into the premises.

An eyewitness account cited in the letter alleged that one of the operatives kicked the vehicle of a woman who was attempting to park at the mall, despite her having no connection with the operation.

The officer was further alleged to have told the woman that she should "thank God" that only her vehicle was kicked, warning that something worse could have happened.

The woman was also allegedly warned against making a telephone call in the presence of the operatives.

The incident reportedly occurred during a raid on a car wash and lounge operating within the mall.

The owner of the business was allegedly arrested during the operation and subsequently released shortly afterwards.

Fásípè, in the complaint, condemned what he described as an unprofessional approach to law enforcement, arguing that enforcement operations should not expose innocent members of the public to intimidation or harassment.

"Such conduct is completely unacceptable and falls far short of the professionalism expected of officers of a law enforcement agency," he said.

"Law enforcement operations should not become an excuse for intimidating, harassing or assaulting innocent citizens who are not the targets of an operation."

He called on the NDLEA leadership to investigate the incident, identify the officers involved and establish whether the allegations of intimidation and assault were substantiated.

Fásípè also raised concerns over reports that the Ondo State Command currently does not have a substantive commander, urging the agency to address any administrative gaps that could affect the conduct of its operations.

"Citizens deserve to feel safe around law enforcement officers, not terrified by them," he stated.

The complaint did not disclose whether the NDLEA recovered any illicit drugs or other contraband during the raid.

As of early Saturday morning, the anti-drug agency had also not publicly provided details of the operation, the reason for the raid, any arrests made or items recovered.

The NDLEA has continued to conduct operations against drug trafficking and illicit drug cultivation across Ondo State, one of the areas where the agency has maintained sustained enforcement activities.

However, the latest allegations have raised fresh concerns about the manner in which drug enforcement operations are conducted in busy public and commercial spaces.

SaharaReporters' efforts to speak with the Spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi to ascertained the veracity of the claims were unsuccessful as he did not take his calls as at the time of filing this report.