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

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
News
Gulani Chairman Urges Police Action After Deadly Attack on Farmers

Gulani Chairman Urges Police Action After Deadly Attack on Farmers
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chairman of Gulani Local Government Area, Yobe State, Hon. Daiyabu Ilu Njibulwa, has called on the police to take decisive action following an attack on farmers in Zango Village, Dokshi Ward, which left two people dead and two others severely injured.
The incident, which occurred on Friday evening, is suspected to be linked to a two-year-old dispute between residents of Zango Village and individuals from the Azare axis.
Eyewitnesses told Zagazola Makama that the attackers, armed with arrows and machetes, launched an assault on the farmers while they were working on their farmlands, killing two instantly and leaving two others with serious injuries.

Speaking during a visit to the scene, Njibulwa expressed frustration over what he described as inadequate police response to repeated reports of tensions in the area.
“We have repeatedly directed our complaints to the police, but no proper actions were taken despite the fact that a similar conflict occurred here last year,” Njibulwa said. “Today, we are here to show you the victims, including the two corpses. It is time for you to take action now, do it between you and your God.”
The Divisional Crime Investigation Department (CID) of the Nigeria Police Force in Damaturu condemned the attack and assured that steps were being taken to apprehend the perpetrators.
Security sources said a report had previously been sent to the Boundary Adjustment Commission as part of efforts to find a lasting solution to the protracted conflict.
Njibulwa was accompanied by prominent stakeholders from Gulani LGA, including the Commissioner of Transport and Energy, Hon. Mohammed Mohammed Bara; the State Auditor General, Alhaji Mai Aliyu Umar; and the Chairman of the Teaching Service Board, Alhaji Yakubu Y. Dokshi, among others.
The injured victims are receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility, while the remains of the deceased have been handed over to their families for burial.
Gulani Chairman Urges Police Action After Deadly Attack on Farmers
News
New Girema of Fika appreciates Emir for the honor.

New Girema of Fika appreciates Emir for the honor.
By: Yahaya Wakili
The new Girema 1 of the Fika Emirate Council in Yobe State, Alhaji Abubakar Baba Dada (alias Basco), has expressed his appreciation and gratitude to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Fika, and Chairman of the Yobe State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Dr. Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, CON, CFR, for honoring him with the traditional title of Girema 1 of Fika.
Alhaji Abubakar Baba Dada expressed his appreciation while answering questions from the newsmen shortly after presenting him the letter of appointment at his residence on Masco Street, Potiskum.
“I feel highly honored; I am overwhelmed. The honor dishonored on me by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Fika, Alhaji Dr. Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa CON, CFR, is unpalatable. Adding that, there is something special, I think he must find in me for him to have dishonored me with such a great title as Girema 1 of the Fika Emirate Council,” Dada said.
Alhaji Dada revealed that I will remain indebted and grateful to His Royal Highness for this honor done to me and our family entirely. He urged all of us to embrace one another and work hand in hand with all brothers because collectively we can build a better society for a better tomorrow devoid of other verses.
He calls on the entire people of Yobe South, even Yobe State at large, to come together on a common course; anything that was doing, let him do it well. The title of a Girema is a reverend title, a highly reverend title under the Kilishi of Tinja Fuya, down to the level of Barde, but actually I need to go deep for me to elaborate.
“There are two categories, the bigger one, Girema Gana and Girema Siri, and there is one Girema Gana so far. For me to have the honor of this kind of procedure title is actually worthy of reaction and worthy of commendation. I am highly honored,” he added.
Dada maintained that actually being a politician determined being a traditional titleholder because they work together hand in hand. The general purpose of working in every aspect of life is for the common good of the society. What do you bring to the table? What do you bring to the society? What do you bring to the populace? So virtually there are intermoving Siamese twins working together along the single course.
“I will remain ever grateful to the entire people of Potiskum and its environs for the dishonored disownment of me. Actually, you cannot comprehend the moment when the crowd that came from all works of life was in my honor. This is worthy of commendation. I feel highly indebted to the entire society and am looking forward to doing more within my reach for the betterment of our society at large.
New Girema of Fika appreciates Emir for the honor.
News
Passenger Abducted in Katsina-Ala–Takum Boundary Attack in Benue

Passenger Abducted in Katsina-Ala–Takum Boundary Attack in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men have abducted a passenger from a commercial vehicle along the Katsina-Ala–Takum road, Benue State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, when the Toyota Carina II, with registration number KLD 108 AA, was heading to Katsina-Ala from Takum, Taraba State, with seven passengers onboard.
At Tsede Village, which lies on the boundary between Katsina-Ala and Takum, the gunmen blocked the road, robbed the occupants, and whisked away one passenger later identified as NYSC member Saadu Dauda from Zamfara State.
His identity was confirmed through a corps member ID card found in his bag left in the vehicle.
Security operatives have launched a coordinated operation to track the assailants and rescue the victim.
End
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