The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has begun a manhunt for notorious drug dealer Sowunmi Ayodeji Kayode of Lekki, Lagos, who is on the run after he used his high-end vehicle to run over an NDLEA officer during a search of his home in an effort to avoid being apprehended.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, explained that on Friday, August 18, NDLEA agents stormed the home of the wanted drug dealer at 2/3 Adetola Ayeni close in Lekki, Lagos for a search and possible arrest after receiving reliable information that he was conducting illegal drug business there.

“Although he was not in the house when operatives got into his compound, he, however, returned while a search of his apartment was ongoing. In a dramatic twist, as soon as he drove into the premises and sighted NDLEA officers, he engaged his car in reverse gear, knocked down one of the officers, pulled down his gate before plunging the vehicle into the fence of the opposite compound.

“The force of his car’s speed also pulled down the concrete wall of his neighbour’s compound and from there he dived out of the vehicle to escape.

“A thorough search of his apartment, however, led to the recovery of 10.5 kilograms of Loud, while the operative knocked down suffered multiple injuries all over his body and compound fracture on his two legs for which he is currently on hospital admission for treatment.

“Following the unpleasant development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has directed the deployment of appropriate operational assets of the Agency to smoke out the wanted suspect from his hiding. He also approved adequate medical care for the injured officer so that he can get back on his feet as soon as possible,” the statement added.