Anger and grief gripped Barnawa Community in Kaduna South Local Government Area on Tuesday as residents, particularly youths, staged a fierce protest over the killing of an innocent young man by a personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during an anti-drug operation.
According to eyewitnesses, NDLEA operatives had stormed the community in the afternoon as part of a raid targeting suspected illicit drug dealers. Mallam Ibrahim, a resident who claimed to have witnessed the incident, narrated that while chasing one of the suspects, an operative allegedly fired a gunshot after failing to apprehend him.
“Seeing that the suspect could not be caught, the NDLEA officer fired a shot towards his direction, but unfortunately, the bullet missed the suspect and hit a young man who was not involved in the matter at all. He died immediately,” Ibrahim said, visibly shaken.
The victim, whose identity was yet to be officially released at the time of this report, was described by locals as a peaceful and hardworking youth. His sudden death sparked outrage, with dozens of young people taking to the streets in protest.
The demonstrators blocked the main road in Barnawa, set tyres ablaze, and chanted solidarity songs, demanding justice for the deceased. They vowed not to leave the scene until both the NDLEA and the Kaduna State Government addressed the killing.
“We have witnessed several killings of innocent youths in this community over issues that don’t concern them. This is becoming too much. The state government must hear this and take immediate action,” said another resident, Mallam Sani Abubakar.
The protest caused significant traffic disruption, with motorists forced to take alternative routes. Security operatives, including police officers, were later deployed to the area to prevent escalation, but tensions remained high as residents insisted that mere deployment of security would not be enough without accountability.
As the hours passed, some protesters gradually dispersed, but a determined group stayed behind, awaiting an official statement from authorities.
At the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Kaduna State had not responded to inquiries on the incident. Similarly, the Press Secretary to the Kaduna State Government had yet to make any public statement regarding the killing or the protests.
The NDLEA, known for its nationwide crackdown on illicit drug activities, has faced criticism in the past over alleged cases of excessive use of force. This latest incident in Barnawa has reignited debates about operational conduct, community safety, and the need for stricter accountability mechanisms for security agencies.
Residents say they will continue to push for justice, not only for the latest victim but for all innocent lives lost in similar circumstances.
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