An officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has revealed before the Abia State Judicial Panel of inquiry, the incident that occured on July 31st 2015, at ‘ black kingdom’.
‘ Black kingdom reportedly, is a notorious site, around Ariaria international market Aba, breeding criminals and drug peddlers .
Recall that AF-NEWS reported that one Mr Maduabuchi Friday, brought a petition before the panel of inquiry narrating how a bullet from the NDLEA’ sporadic shooting, hit him on his right hand as he was in his shoe- shop in July 31st, 2015.
In a resumed hearing today March 24, Mr Magami Daniel, a supritendant of narcotics, and a team leader narrated this;
” On 31st July, 2015, at about 7am, I led a team of NDLEA officers to Bakassi area, Ariaria market popularly known as ‘black kingdom’ for a raid operation.
” During the raid, three dealers of indian hemp were arrested with different kinds of drugs; cocaine, indian hemp, and cannabis.
” While the arrest was going on, one of the targets by name, Martin Luther King noticed the presence of the officers.
” He ran into the market chanting ‘Aba ee’ . Within few minutes, he mobilized a number of hoodlums coming aggressively towards us, throwing stones and sticks including gun sounds.
” I mobilized my men as they were scattering so we can withdraw from the operation considering the number of hoodlums.
” They forced the arrested dealers from us and they ran into the crowd with handcuffs on them.
” On hearing a gunshot, I ordered my men to shoot into the air.
” We drove away in our vehicle as they still threw stones at us, damaging our vehicle.
” As we were driving off, we saw sister- agencies; police and Army driving to the scene” Magami narrated.
According to him, they got to know of the illicit drug activities in black kingdom through surveillance.
He added that the black kingdom is still in existence and they have not been able to sweep them all out.
” We don’t have an office around there. We patrol on occasions . When you arrest anyone, another will replace him that is why the place is still on even up-till now” Magami said.
On where notorious Martin King is, Magami said they do not have any information on his whereabout.
