The remains of 32-year-old Dapo Olasore, who was allowed to drown by officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have been recovered by residents of the Agboyi Community in the Alapere area of Lagos State.

It was learnt that the body of the victim floated around 9pm on Monday.

PUNCH Metro had reported that the Law graduate was about boarding a canoe on Sunday when some officers of the NDLEA stormed the area in two unregistered vehicles.

It was learnt that the officers, who had come to arrest a suspected drug dealer, Saheed, began shooting sporadically into the air, sending frightened residents scampering for safety.

Eyewitnesses told PUNCH Metro that some of the officials went to where the victim was and held him by the trousers.

He was said to have fallen into the Agboyi River while trying to free himself.

Our correspondent reported that a boat operator, Dayo Seun, who attempted to rescue him, was scared away.

Seun said the NDLEA men pointed guns at him and prevented him from rescuing the drowning man, leading to his death.

The remains of the Ibadan, Oyo State indigene, reportedly floated on Monday, after efforts to locate him on Sunday proved abortive.

A resident and friend of the victim, Tosin Oshin, told our correspondent of the development on the telephone.

He said, “His remains have been found. His body floated around 9pm some distance away from where he drowned; it was bloated and smelly.”

PUNCH Metro was told that relatives of the victims had started arriving from Temide Olorunshogo, Ibadan, and were making efforts to get a police report for the burial.

It was learnt that the matter was reported at the Alapere Police Division.

“Those living in the community said they will be the ones to bury him after some traditional rites. But they are insisting on getting a police report to avoid any problems with the authorities,” he added.

The elder brother of the victim, Bolarin Olasore, said he received the news with shock, adding that the family was concerned with Dapo’s burial.

“I still spoke with him last Saturday and he said he would come to see me in Ibadan. I had gone for a birthday party when I heard the news. We are all sad because he was a good son.

“I have come down from Ibadan to represent the family and plan his burial with the village head.

“The family has also instructed me that we should not drag any case with the NDLEA because there is nothing that can compensate for his life. He still has a five-year-old kid and an aged mother and we all are grieving. Starting a case could compound the situation because they will start saying we should exhume his corpse and do all kinds of things.”

Meanwhile, readers of The PUNCH online have called for the arrest and prosecution of the NDLEA officers involved in the tragic raid.

A reader, Ijele James, said, “Nigeria, we are killing our children. God will judge these foolish devils who watched a young man drown; there is payback time.

“Uniform and gun in Nigeria equal to kill and go. Why won’t these idiots go and face Boko Haram? Government, over to you; bring these vandals to justice.”

Another reader, Toyenro, faulted the claim by the NDLEA spokesperson, Mitchel Ofoyeju, that the agency was not aware of anybody drowning, adding that the officers were poorly trained.

“I think these people are poorly trained. Is it part of the training of NDLEA operatives to let a suspect drown? Even when he could have been rescued? Ok. Sorry. NDLEA is not aware of the drowning,” he added.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joe Offor, had yet to respond to a text message sent to him.