Nigeria’s anti-drug agency in mistaken identity raid

The Nigerian anti-drug agency has expressed regret to a man in the central Plateau state after its agents unintentionally raided his home while going after an alleged drug dealer.

Alyasa'u Idris was taken into custody by armed agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday morning after they conducted an early-morning raid on his home.

But it ended up being the wrong target.

Due to the prevalence of kidnappings for ransom in the nation, Mr. Idris, 42, claimed he initially believed that his home was being targeted by kidnappers.

He claimed that after hiding inside the ceiling, the officers who had broken in hauled him out.

Yellen-Shendam is the location of the incident.

After removing the man, the officers questioned him but soon realized that he was not the person they were looking for.

He claimed that after being freed, he discovered his 500,000 Naira ($1,145; £1,010) gone when he got home.

Mattress salesman Mr. Idris told the BBC that the incident traumatized his entire family and that all four of his wives had to be admitted to the hospital as a result of the psychological effects.

When the officers realized it was a case of mistaken identity, they quickly apologized to the individual, according to a representative for the anti-drug organization Femi Babafemi, who spoke to the BBC.

Mr. Babafemi advised the victim to file a formal complaint with the organization, requesting an investigation into the allegations of missing money and payment of damages.