The Nigerian anti-drug agency has apologised to a man in the central state of Plateau after its operatives raided his home by mistake as they targeted a suspected drug dealer.
Armed operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Alyasa’u Idris after breaking into his home in a predawn raid on Thursday.
But it turned out to be a wrong target.
Mr Idris, 42, said he initially thought his house was being attacked by kidnappers because kidnappings for ransom are rampant in the country. He then hid inside the ceiling but was pulled out by the officers who broke into the ceiling, he said.
The incident happened in the town of Yelwan-Shendam.
The officers interrogated the man after taking him away - but they then realised he was not the person they were looking for.
He said upon returning home after his release, he found his 500,000 Naira ($1,145; £1,010) was missing.
Mr Idris, a mattress seller, told the BBC that his entire family was traumatised by the experience and that all his four wives were taken to hospital because of the psychological impact.
A spokesperson for the anti-drug agency Femi Babafemi told the BBC that its officers had immediately apologised to the man after realising it was a case of mistaken identity.
Mr Babafemi said the victim should write a formal complaint to the agency for investigation on the claims of missing money and demand for compensation.
Latest Stories
-
Persistent rise in inflation in Ghana, Nigeria to stifle economic growth – Deloitte
6 minutes -
GPL: Albert Amoah has all the qualities to succeed at the top level – Kwame Poku
9 minutes -
‘We are handing over a strong economy’ – Finance Minister
16 minutes -
Electrochem Ghana refutes allegations in Fourth Estate’s investigative documentary
23 minutes -
Bond market: Trade volumes surge over 100% to GH¢1.53bn
23 minutes -
A Plus discloses how his late father helped him to win his MP position
23 minutes -
Amankwah Mireku calls for Hearts defender Osei Asibey to be ‘sidelined’
33 minutes -
ADI proposes swift implementation of e-cash rewards
36 minutes -
Forgotten star Felix Afena-Gyan scores and assists for Juventus Next Gen
45 minutes -
Cedi narrows its year-to-date loss; one dollar equals GH¢15.65
48 minutes -
Ghana’s capacity to repay IMF adequate but significant downside risks persist
55 minutes -
Nurudeen Amadu leaves role as FC Samartex coach
56 minutes -
Ghana’s Alternative Dispute Resolution progression: The missing place of chief
1 hour -
Mykhailo Mudryk ‘suspended’ after ‘adverse finding’ in FA’s routine urine test
1 hour -
Gideon Mensah: A rising talent with big dreams for Ghana
2 hours