When Attackers Disguise as Law Enforcement -By Rinret Istifanus

In Angwan Rukuba, the memory of recent attacks still haunts residents. On Sunday, confusion and fear gripped the community when assailants attacked, some reportedly wearing NDLEA uniforms. Eyewitnesses initially thought it was NDLEA conducting arrests, a mistake that highlights both the community’s fear and the attackers’ deceptive tactics.

“We thought it was the officers coming,” said one local youth. “But it wasn’t NDLEA; it was the attackers pretending. We ran for our lives because of the gunshots and the uniforms.” Families were terrified, unsure who was there to protect them and who was there to harm them.

While NDLEA plays a crucial role in fighting drug trafficking, the incident underscores a broader concern: the fear that armed law enforcement operations can create in communities. Even legitimate arrests can trigger panic when firearms are involved, particularly in areas that have experienced past attacks.

“We are not against NDLEA catching people who use drugs,” a local resident said. “But must they always shoot when making arrests? There must be a way to enforce the law without frightening the community.”

NDLEA officials maintain that high-risk arrests sometimes require firearms. Suspects involved in drug trafficking may be armed, and officers must protect themselves, prevent escape, and secure evidence. Experts, however, argue that limiting gunfire whenever possible and improving communication with communities could reduce fear.

The attack in Rukuba also exposed how vulnerable communities are to criminals disguising themselves as law enforcement, a tactic that deepens mistrust and trauma. For youths in Angwan Rukuba, it has become harder to distinguish between protectors and attackers. “When people wear uniforms, you immediately think it’s the law,” said a young man. “Seeing them shoot makes you run but sometimes they are not who you think they are.”

Community leaders are calling for measures that protect civilians while allowing NDLEA to continue its work. Proposed solutions include advance warnings before operations, clear uniform markings, community sensitization, and non lethal methods to secure arrests. Residents hope these steps will prevent confusion and reduce the psychological impact of armed interventions.

Experts warn that repeated exposure to fear, armed criminals, and heavy-handed arrests can affect young people’s trust in law enforcement. “Trust between communities and security forces is essential,” said a security analyst. “Without it, even necessary operations can harm the very people they are meant to protect.”

For Angwan Rukuba, safety is more than the arrest of criminals it is the assurance that law enforcement can act without causing terror. NDLEA’s work remains critical in fighting illegal drugs, but its methods must balance justice with the emotional and psychological well-being of the community.

The challenge is clear: protect citizens from crime while ensuring that authorities do not become a source of fear. Until that balance is achieved, every uniform, every gunshot, and every sudden operation will carry echoes of doubt and anxiety for the residents of Angwan Rukuba.