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25 years after first forensic lab in Lagos, NDLEA gets two more in Abuja and Enugu

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25 years after first forensic lab in Lagos, NDLEA gets two more in Abuja and Enugu

By: Michael Mike

After over 25 years of conducting forensic analysis in a single laboratory facility in Lagos, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has established two new laboratories and upgraded the existing one to enhance accessibility, expedite timely analysis, and prosecute cases efficiently following a surge in drug seizures over the past months.

The two additional laboratories built in Abuja and Enugu, according to a statement on Monday by the spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi are strategically located and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities designed to meet the highest standards of quality and safety protocols, as well as ensuring a safe working environment.

Speaking on the development, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) said “the newly constructed laboratories will enable us to enhance our forensic analysis capabilities, increase our capacity to process cases efficiently and strengthen our fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.”

He noted that while the two new facilities were set to commence operations, the existing one in Lagos has undergone a comprehensive renovation and refurbishment, transforming it into a state-of-the-art facility. “This project was made possible through the sponsorship of the US International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)”, he stated.

Babafemi said beside equipping the laboratories with additional cutting-edge analytical instruments, the agency in collaboration with the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), has conducted the training and certification of 20 NDLEA forensic analysts, meant to empower them to sign off on drug analysis reports, thereby enhancing the agency’s forensic capabilities.

He noted that this is in addition to the implementation of robust quality control measures, following the agency’s successful participation in three rounds of the UNODC International Collaborative Exercise (ICE) programme, which is an important part of International Quality Assurance Programme (IQAP) to ensure quality management systems, accuracy and reliability of results.

While commending the officers, men and women of the agency’s Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring for working with him to break the over 25 years jinx, Marwa said the milestone achieved in the area of forensic analysis is borne out of his commitment to equipping the laboratories with state-of-the-art instruments and developing the expertise of the agency’s personnel to ensure accurate and reliable forensic analysis, research methodologies and tackling the challenges posed by emerging New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).

“The newly constructed drug laboratories and renovated facilities mark a significant milestone in the Agency’s history, and we are delighted about this achievement”, Marwa added.

Meanwhile, the US-INL has donated a new advanced equipment to the agency to enhance the operations of the NDLEA forensic lab in Lagos. The handover of the spectroscopy device was done by the Director of INL in Nigeria, Ms. Candace Spradley who commended the collaboration between NDLEA and the INL. She said the donated equipment will enhance the agency’s capacity to detect and analyse suspicious substances.

A team of top officials of the agency who received the US delegation and the equipment at the Ikoyi Lagos headquarters annex of NDLEA was led by the Director, Seaport Operations, DCGN Omolade Faboyede. Others include the Director, Forensic and Chemical Monitoring, ACGN Patricia Afolabi; Deputy Director Media and Advocacy, ACGN Rita Geh Okpere; Head, Special Operations Unit, ACGN Akinola Idowu Grace and Commander, Lagos State Strategic Command of the agency, CN Abubakar Liman Wali, among others.

25 years after first forensic lab in Lagos, NDLEA gets two more in Abuja and Enugu

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Ongoing FG’s Reforms to Lift N50 million Nigerians from Poverty in Ten Tears

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Ongoing FG’s Reforms to Lift N50 million Nigerians from Poverty in Ten Tears

By: Michael Mike

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms and development initiatives are aimed at lifting between 40 and 50 million Nigerians out of multidimensional poverty within the next decade.

The Vice President who was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure, Sadiq Wanka, at DevFest2025, themed “Ending Poverty in Nigeria,” reinforced the consensus that eradicating poverty is possible if Nigeria sustains reforms, strengthens collaboration, and embraces bold, inclusive strategies organized by Nextier, said: “If we remain consistent in applying these policies, GDP growth will soar, inequality will reduce, food and multidimensional poverty will fall, and inflation could reach single digits by 2026. Overall, our reforms could free 40 to 50 million Nigerians from poverty within a decade, enabling them to fulfil their God-given potential,”

Unveiling the government’s “Poverty Exit Plan”, Shettima described the strategy as both a moral obligation and a strategic compact to ensure no Nigerian is left behind. The plan, he explained, rests on three pillars: investing in infrastructure, driving economic and financial inclusion, and transforming agriculture from subsistence to value-driven, mechanised production.

The Vice President highlighted positive economic indicators already taking shape: external reserves rising to $42 billion, six consecutive months of inflation decline, Naira stabilisation under Central Bank policies, and a 44.3% trade surplus increase in H1 2025, amounting to over N10 trillion.

He disclosed that more than N330 billion has been disbursed to 8.1 million households through Conditional Cash Transfers, while the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has provided over N80 billion in loans to 400,000 students. In agriculture, the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has attracted over $1 billion to boost mechanisation and value addition.

Shettima emphasized early reforms like petrol subsidy removal and forex unification, describing them as bold but necessary steps to create fiscal space for investments.

“The removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market were bold acts of economic surgery, essential to stabilize our nation and set it on a path of sustainable growth.”

He explained that the plan rests on three strategic pillars investment in infrastructure, promotion of inclusion, advancing agriculture and value addition.

“Our Poverty Exit Plan is multifaceted and relentless. It is built on three strategic pillars: investing in critical infrastructure, driving financial and economic inclusion, and encouraging value-addition and mechanized agriculture.”

Shettima highlighted early positive outcomes, including higher reserves, narrowing fiscal deficit, rising non-oil exports, and stabilizing inflation, projecting that poverty and inequality could be drastically reduced by 2026.

“If we remain consistent in our application of these policies, our government is confident that we will see GDP growth soaring, inequality reducing drastically, food and multidimensional poverty crashing, and inflation potentially reaching single digits by 2026.”

The Head of Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, underscored that poverty reduction must be driven primarily by sound domestic policies. International partners, he noted, can support but cannot substitute local leadership.

He said: “Poverty reduction is not just a moral duty; it is a political, social, and economic imperative. It reduces instability, strengthens democracy, and drives productivity.”

He stressed the need to listen to the voices of poor communities, not just statistics, and pointed to Nigeria’s entrepreneurial spirit—especially among women—as a powerful force for poverty reduction. He revealed that the EU has committed over €87 million to strengthen Nigeria’s social safety nets and resilience programmes, alongside €150 million in humanitarian support to address food insecurity affecting 33 million Nigerians.

From the state level, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the Government of Enugu State, shared lessons from the state’s multi-sectoral interventions in education, agriculture, and health, which he said are shifting the focus from poverty reduction to poverty eradication.

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Ndubuisi Nwokolo, Partner at Nextier Development Foundation, stressed the need to move beyond short-term fixes and token interventions.

“Money alone does not eradicate poverty. Neither do rice distributions nor handing out sewing machines. We must dig deeper and embrace sustainable, evidence-based solutions,” he said.

Nwokolo urged stakeholders to scale up local innovations, harness Nigeria’s youthful population, and adopt a whole-of-society approach that integrates government, civil society, private investors, and academia.

Patrick Okigbo III, Founding Partner of Nextier, echoed this call, noting that the festival was designed to bring together thoughtful leaders and innovators to co-create practical solutions.

“We refuse to accept that poverty is unsolvable. The time to end it is now, with the right partnerships, policies, and political will,” Okigbo said.

With 40% of Nigerians—over 82 million people—still below the poverty line, the challenge remains daunting, but stakeholders agreed that a mix of consistent policies, grassroots innovations, and international cooperation could set the country on a path to shared prosperity. Nextier Push For Reforms To End Poverty in Nigeria

Meanwhile, the nation’s fight against poverty received a renewed boost on Tuesday as government leaders, development partners, academics, and civil society actors converged at the Nextier Development Solutions Festival (DevFest2025) in Abuja to chart bold pathways for poverty eradication.

Ongoing FG’s Reforms to Lift N50 million Nigerians from Poverty in Ten Tears

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Police launch manhunt for guard over abduction of toddler in Taraba

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Police launch manhunt for guard over abduction of toddler in Taraba

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces in Taraba have launched a manhunt for a security guard accused of abducting a two-year-old boy and demanding ransom.

Security sources confirmed the incident it was reported late on Sunday by the victim’s mother, Mrs. Ujuwan Okosun.

She alleged that her guard, identified as Amos Kini, took away her son, Ivan Okosun, along with her mobile phone, and later used the same phone to call her husband, demanding N5 million ransom for the boy’s release.

Police detectives immediately visited the scene and arrested one Aruna Dauda, said to be the guarantor of the suspect.

“The command has intensified efforts to track down the suspect and rescue the child unhurt. Investigation is ongoing,” said the sources.

The police urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with timely information to curb criminality.

Police launch manhunt for guard over abduction of toddler in Taraba

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Police inspector killed at checkpoint in Taraba

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Police inspector killed at checkpoint in Taraba

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Taraba has confirmed the killing of an officer by unknown hoodlums at a checkpoint in Tella, Gassol Local Government Area.

Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 9:30 p.m.

The victim, identified as Insp. Suleiman Dala of 40 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Jalingo, was attacked while on duty, and his rifle was taken away by the assailants.

Police operatives who visited the scene photographed the body and evacuated it to the General Hospital, Tella, where it was deposited at the morgue.

“The command has intensified efforts to track down the perpetrators and recover the rifle. Investigation is ongoing,”said sources.

The sources said that the command commiserated with the family of the late officer and assured that those behind the attack would be brought to justice.

Police inspector killed at checkpoint in Taraba

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