By Umar Bayo Abdulwahab
Ilorin
Sporadic gunshot fired by operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in some parts of Ilorin, Kwara state capital, on Sunday evening caused panic among residents as the anti-narcotic operatives stormed the hideout of suspected Indian hemp smokers, arresting several of them.
The incident occurred at a popular open space around Iloffa Road, GRA, some metres away from Headquarters of Radio Kwara, Ilorin.
Blueprint gathered that the NDLEA men acted on a tip off over the activities of the miscreants likely to constitute security threat to the peaceful co-existence of the people in thAn eyewitness account revealed that the anti-narcotic operatives raided the hideout in a commando style with sporadic shooting renting the air.
The development heightened fear among residents and shop owners in the area as they ran for their dear lives to avoid being implicated.
Our correspondent reports that the NDLEA men arrived at the hideout in about 12 vehicles.
It was observed that close associates of the arrested suspects were seen making desperate calls to warn others to stay away from the troubled spot.
Calm had, however, returned to the area at the time of filing in this report.
Spokesperson of the state NDLEA, Adewara Segun, confirmed that 64 suspects were arrested during the raids which covered Offa Garage and a guest house in Ilorin, saying that the operation “is still going.”