Drugs: Panic in Pankshin as NDLEA officials shoot in the air

From Ron-Well Jacob, Jos.
Tension was raised in Pankshin on Monday when officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) shot in the air while chasing after a drug suspect in the middle of the market.
Investigations by Everyday.ng  reveals that the people on hearing gunshots scampered for safety with several persons sustaining injuries in the process while properties were destroyed.
Some of the market women and men who filed out into the streets allegedly got knocked down by moving vehicles .
Am eye witness, Mrs Sarah Gofwen, told our Correspondent that the officials of the NDLEA were hotly chasing a drug suspect, who ran into the market in order to escape their arrest.
“When the suspect ran into the market, they (officials) went after him in the crowd but unprofessionally shot their guns into the air to scare anyone from preventing them from arresting the suspect.
“It was at that point that the marketers took to their heels suspecting that it was an attack on the town by unknown gunmen or herdsmen, ’’ she narrated.
According to her, “of course the memories of the crisis in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South as well as Mangu are still fresh in everyone’s mind, hence the fear and pendamonium that followed the gun shots.’’
Mr John Danjuma, a motorist, said, “if it were not for the mercies of God, some people would had gotten killed by fast moving vehicles, which were also on the run for escape.’’
Danjuma blamed the NDLEA officials for behaving in the manner they did knowing full well that the Plateau is still in the shock of the gruesome killings in Gashish District of Barkin Ladi LGA,
Responding, Mrs Naomi Golmwen, Management Committee Chairman of the Council, described the situation as “very unfortunate’’ as it disrupted activities on the market day.
She admonished the NDLEA officials to be more careful in executing their lawful duties not to cause the kind of harm and destructions of wares of innocent marketers and buyers.
Contacted, the Plateau Police Command Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr Mathias Tyopev, confirmed the incident but that there was no live lost in the incident.
Accodingly, those who sustained injuries while scampering around were taken to the Pankshin General Hospital for treatment.
Tyopev called on the people of Pankshin to remain calm and go about their normal duties since the problem was between NDLEA and drug suspects in the town.