There was panic in some parts of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Saturday as operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in the state stormed the hideout of suspected Indian hemp smokers, arresting several of them.

The incident occurred at a popular open space around Iloffa Road, GRA.

It was gathered that the NDLEA men acted on a tip off over the activities of the miscreants likely to constitute security threat to the peaceful co-existence of the people in the area.

An eyewitness account revealed that the anti-narcotic operatives raided the hideout in a commando style with sporadic shooting renting the air.

The development heightened fear among residents and shop owners in the area as they ran for dear lives to avoid being implicated.

Our correspondent reports that the NDLEA men arrived the hideout in about 12 vehicles.

It could not be immediately ascertained the actual number of suspects arrested, but a source told The Herald On Sunday those apprehended were more than 10.

It was observed that close associates of the arrested suspects were seen making desperate calls to warn others to stay away from the troubled spot.

Calm had returned to the area at the time of filing this report around 5:30pm.

When The Herald on Sunday correspondent contacted the spokesperson of the state NDLEA, Adewara Segun, on the development, he said he could not confirm the number of suspects arrested because the agency was still in operation.