Mumbai: Seven Nigerian nationals held for opening fire on cops while selling drugs

Seven Nigerian nationals were arrested on Saturday, for opening fire on policemen, who were chasing them while they were trying to sell drugs in the central suburbs of the city. Those arrested have been identified as Christ Daila (25), Dan Okonoko (25), Chukus Chukoni (27), Chukuvaizik Aniamwoo (41), Jyul Idayge (40), Nyanamadi Okoro (38), and John Nonso (22).

According to the Byculla Police, the arrest was made on Saturday early morning. "A team of 21 police officers and other staff from the Bycualla Police Station were on rounds to curb anti-social elements and criminals. At around 4.20 am, the officers saw about eight to ten men near Nirmal Park at Doctor Babasaheb Ambedkar Road in Chinchpokli, behaving in a suspicious manner. When the officers tailed them to question their purpose in that area at that hour, one of the accused opened fire towards them. The police responded quickly and fired two rounds in self defence. The sudden commotion helped the police to nab three of the accused while others were followed up to the railway station," a police officer from the Byculla Police Station said.

The police chased the accused up to Chinchpokli station where two more were apprehended at platform number one. During the scuffle to arrest the rest, a train arrived at the platform and one of the accused boarded the train. "While the rest managed to get away, our officers managed to arrest two more from the spot. There are no bullet injuries to anyone and the injuries sustained are due to the scuffle between the two parties. In total, we have arrested seven," the officer added.

The accused were in possession of 550 grams of mephedrone, 110 grams of brown sugar and 11 gram of Cocaine collectively worth Rs 21 lakh. The police also seized an imported 0.32 caliber revolver, one knife, eleven mobile phones and cash worth Rs 41,000 from their possession. The accused have been charged under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Indian Arms Act and Maharashtra Police Act and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

In October 2018, the Anti-Narcotic Cell sleuths had arrested a Nigerian national for carrying drugs worth Rs 17.9 lakhs including 125 grams of cocaine and 5.4 kg Ephedrine.