By Praise Chinecherem

An undercover operative of the Anambra State Special Anti-Tout Squad (SASA) narrowly escaped death during a raid on a suspected drug camp in Amaeze Village, Mgbakwu, Awka North LGA.

According to SASA spokesperson Karen James, the operative had infiltrated the location posing as a buyer and confirmed illicit drug activity. He was identified while attempting to alert his team and was allegedly attacked with a knife by a suspect.

James said the operative, who sustained serious injuries, fought back in self-defense, disarmed the attacker, and inflicted fatal wounds. The suspect, identified as Chinyeaka Ike, popularly known as Akidi, died in the struggle.

The incident sparked protests in Mgbakwu, with youths alleging indiscriminate arrests and claiming Ike was shot by operatives. Demonstrators marched to the Government House in Awka carrying his body, demanding an end to what they described as harassment and extrajudicial actions.

Ike, said to be his parents’ only son, was recently married, with his wife expecting their first child.

Community spokesperson Arinze Nwoye alleged that task force operatives stormed the area and chased fleeing youths, claiming Ike was shot and killed.

SASA, however, denied any shooting. James said investigations found no gunshot wounds, confirming the death resulted from the knife struggle. She added that suspected hard drugs were recovered from the site, reinforcing claims it functioned as a drug hub.

The agency maintained it operates within the law and does not engage in extrajudicial killings, while the state government reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on unlawful killings.

Authorities urged the public to rely on verified information and allow due process, describing the loss of life as regrettable but cautioning against misinformation.