Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has urged operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state to exercise restraint, caution and extreme care to avoid disastrous consequences while carrying out their official functions.

Ikpeazu gave the charge at Aba during an interaction with newsmen after visiting victims of last Friday’s clash involving NDLEA staff and suspected drug peddlers at Ariaria International Market, Aba, who are currently receiving treatment following gunshot wounds inflicted on them by NDLEA operatives in the process.

Reports said the plain-clothed NDLEA operatives had gone into the thickly populated market to arrest some suspected drug peddlers but met stiff resistance and had to use their weapons.

A human rights group, HURRIWA, had alleged that four persons were killed in the process while many were injured. HURRIWA had, however, blamed the killings on military operatives.

The killings reportedly ignited serious protests in Ariaria as the protesters attacked Police stations but were repelled.

But the governor disclosed that four persons were hospitalised and were currently receiving treatment at the Holy Christian Hospital, Faulks Road, Aba, while another person with fracture injury was being treated elsewhere. He said stated that the victims were in stable condition.

Against the backdrop of the incident, Ikpeazu charged the NDLEA personnel to ensure that whenever they go for operations involving apprehension of drug offenders, they should do so with minimal force and avoid endangering the lives of people. “The life of one individual is far more important than whatever intention such operation may want to achieve,” he said.

The governor noted that Ariaria is a densely populated area, stressing that going into the place for such an operation may bode dire consequences.

The governor, who made financial commitment to the treatment of the victims, thanked the management of the hospital for giving the victims good medical attention.

•Photo by Boniface Okoro shows Governor Ikpeazu commiserating with the hospitalised Ariaria Market traders . . . yesterday in Aba.