A group of criminals believed to be members of a cult mobilized, attacked, and successfully rescued a drug trafficking kingpin from the custody of NDLEA agents in Port Harcourt, the capital of the Rivers, on Friday night.

The event happened in Mile 3, Diobu, Capital, close to the intersection of Odunze Street and Ikwerre Road.

A local eyewitness reported that NDLEA officers were ambushed by a big group of hoodlums who were equipped with firearms, knives, broken bottles, and other deadly objects shortly after they had apprehended a drug dealer known only as “50.”

It was discovered that three NDLEA agents in muftis had successfully carried out an undercover investigation at Mile 3 in Diobu’s Odunze, an area known as a haven for cultists and illegal drug trafficking. Their main objective was the ’50’.

According to a source, after NDLEA officials apprehended the alleged “50” and were dragging him to their patrol van stationed at Ikwerre road by Iheoma street, Mile 3, Diobu, a large number of suspected Deygbam cultists mobilised and confronted them.

Armed dangerous weapons, like bottles, stones and guns, the cultists launched an attack on the officials of NDLEA.

It was further gathered that the in self defense, and to scare off the hoodlums, the NDLEA officials fired some shots into the air.

But the rampaging cultists were not deterred as they eventually aided the escape of their ally ’50’ before the NDLEA patrol van arrived at the scene.

Some of the NDLEA officials reportedly sustained injuries in the attack.

Eyewitnesses stated that the incident caused pandemonium and heavy traffic around the Ikwerre road axis of the city.

It was further learnt taking advantage of the confusion; the hoodlums went on rampage robbing pedestrians and motorists.

Mr Emmanuel Ogbumgbada, head of Public Affairs Officer, Media and Advocacy unit of NDLEA in Rivers State has not officially reacted to the incident as at the time of writing this report.

However, Police patrol vans are seen patrolling the area.