28th March, 2012
An outstanding officer at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, who received several awards for intercepting multi-million naira worth of drugs and arresting drug barons, has been gunned down in Adamawa State, northern Nigeria, the agency said Wednesday.
NDLEA said that the officer, Mr. Allen Asor, a Superintendent of Narcotics and a colleague, Mr. Yohanna Musa Barnya, a narcotics agent, were killed during an operation in Adamawa State last Wednesday.
NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, described the officers as gallant and reliable operatives with an impeccable track record, adding that their demise is regretted.
He ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to their death and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The death of the officers is sad and painful. Until the sudden death, they were gallant and reliable operatives with impeccable track records. The agency will not treat the issue with kid gloves. These are officers that gave their best in protecting the country from the problem of illicit drugs. I have ordered an investigation and appropriate action shall be taken to ensure that those responsible do not go unpunished,” Giade said.
NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju, quoted the agency’s Adamawa State Commander, Hassan Zungeru, as saying that the officers were on lawful assignment at Loko village in the state when the unfortunate incident occurred.
“The operation was led by Allen Asor a Superintendent of Narcotics following a report of cannabis sales and abuse in Loko village. The operation turned bloody following a mob attack,” Hassan stated.
Allen Asor was a recipient of the Chairman/Chief Executive’s Special Commendation in 2009.
He was commended by Ahmadu Giade for exemplary conduct, diligence, doggedness and commitment that led to the arrest of a suspected drug baron and seizure of a Toyota Hilux, 2.05kilogrammes of cocaine and N14 million.
In 2002, he also got a commendation by former NDLEA boss Bello Lafiaji for successfully investigating the importation of 9 kilogrammes of cocaine from Brazil.
Allen was born on 19 December, 1968 in Adikpo in Benue State, northern Nigeria and enlisted into NDLEA in 1991 as a Narcotics Agent.
He attended Army Children School Makurdi and Bristow Secondary School Gboko.
He also studied Mass Communication at Bayero University, Kano.
Allen is survived by a wife and four sons.
Yohanna Musa, a Narcotics Agent who also died in the attack was single. He was born on 27 November, 1984 in Madagali, Gulak Local Government Area of Taraba State.
He attended Howai Primary School and Government Day Secondary School Wukari Taraba State.
By Simon Ateba