National News
Drug war: NDLEA Expects More Interception of Illicit Drugs on Waterways and Seaports with Donation of Facility by British Government
Drug war: NDLEA Expects More Interception of Illicit Drugs on Waterways and Seaports with Donation of Facility by British Government
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has said that the bolstered capacity of the anti-narcotic body within the maritime space will further tighten the noose on drug barons and cartels, and increase quantum of arrests and seizures of illicit substances on the nation’s waterways and seaports.
Marwa stated this in Lagos on Wednesday at the commissioning of NDLEA Marine Command Headquarters, a facility built and donated by the British Government.
He said: “I have to express my profound appreciation to the British High Commission in Nigeria for believing in this project and considering it worthy of His Majesty’s investment. The timely delivery of this project and the high standard of the finished work speak volumes about the commitment of the British Government to support our efforts.
“Not quite long ago, a similar edifice, completed with state-of-the-art fittings, was handed over to NDLEA by the British Government at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. There has also been a series of capacity-building initiatives and provisions of equipment by the Home Office International Operations, which have bolstered the capability of the Agency’s personnel and have enhanced phenomenal drug seizures and arrests. We deeply appreciate the effort of the British government and its institutions.”
“According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD, “over 80 per cent of the volume of international trade is carried by sea, and the percentage is even higher for developing countries.” This is equally true of illicit drug trade because maritime routes have long been exploited by drug traffickers due to the vast expanses of the open sea and the complexity of maritime laws and jurisdictions. The illicit drug trade via maritime channels poses severe threats, not only in terms of drug proliferation but also because of its links to organised crime, terrorism, and human trafficking,” the NDLEA boss added.
He equally said: “Recent records from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime indicate that West Africa remains an important transit region for narcotics, mostly emanating from South America. We have had at least four trafficking cases in the last two years involving merchant ships (aside from cases of drugs concealed in cargo containers) from South America to Nigeria. The cases are evidence that the maritime corridor provides mobility for illicit trafficking activity.”
He said the recent operational successes recorded by the NDLEA on the waterways and seaports justified his decision to upgrade the marine unit of the agency to a full-fledged command in 2022.
“We did not make a mistake when, in 2022, we upgraded the Marine Unit to a full-fledged command. Our balance sheet of arrests and seizures of drugs within the maritime space has maintained an upward swing. The collaboration of the Agency’s Marine Command with other maritime law enforcement agencies has resulted in the interception of 61,688.79 kg of varying drugs and the arrest of 41 suspects, 15 of whom are already prosecuted and jailed. Through our various port operations in the last three years, the Agency has seized at least 750 tons of illicit drugs ranging from cocaine to codeine, tramadol, methamphetamine and Loud, to mention a few”, he stated.
Marwa while calling for continuous collaboration among various security agencies operating within the maritime space, said “the operation of our Special Marine Squad on the waterways of Lagos has shown the increasing complexity of maritime drug trafficking. Aside from merchant ships, personal vessels, including luxury yachts, modified pump boats, and fishing trawlers, are also being employed in this growing drug trade. Countering this threat requires intense coastal monitoring and collaboration among security agencies to track, search and profile the various vessels on our waterways, as it is the case now.”
He expressed joy that the Marine Command Headquarters facility that started as an idea has crystallised into a physical structure being commissioned, thanking all stakeholders that made the project a reality.
He said: “Permit me to express my profound appreciation to the Executive Governor, Lagos State for his inestimable goodwill, which has created a conducive operating environment for all our commands. My appreciation equally goes to the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for synergising with NDLEA. The synergy between them and NDLEA is instrumental to our streak of success within the maritime space. The Nigeria Ports Authority and the Nigeria Maritime Security and Safety Agency have been very helpful. My appreciation equally goes to the Managing Directors of Eko Atlantic and Satellite Oil and Gas for making space available for this command headquarters.”
In his remark at the occasion, British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter justified why the UK government is supporting the work of NDLEA.
He said: “it is also a delight to see such a wide range of people here at this event because from my perspective, that shows the level of commitment that we see from our Nigerian partners and colleagues to what is the really critical work carried out by the NDLEA in tackling drug trafficking. We in the UK support that work for a number of reasons. We’ve seen an increase in drug detections both in Nigeria and in the UK and so that shows us two things.
“Firstly, that there is a clear need for us to work together, to work collaboratively to tackle drug trafficking but it also shows that our efforts are paying dividends. We are jointly preventing more and more drugs crossing borders and we are disrupting more and more gangs and that is important for both our populations, both our countries but it’s mostly important actually for the people whose lives are disrupted by this crime but as we all know there is more work to do and it will definitely continue.”
Lagos state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu represented by Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Hundeyin, in his remark said “the NDLEA’s presence in Lagos has been pivotal in curbing the illegal drug trade. Your efforts have not only protected our citizens, but also enhanced the overall security and well-being of our state.”
He added that: “Today’s commissioning of the NDLEA Marine Command Headquarters, generously donated by the British government, marks a significant milestone in our collective fight against drug-related crimes. It highlights the importance of international cooperation and strategic partnerships in tackling the global challenge of drug trafficking, especially in coastal areas like Lagos. I therefore, on behalf of our government and the good people of Lagos State, extend my sincere gratitude to the British government for this invaluable contribution, which will further bolster NDLEA’s capacity to more effectively patrol our waters and intercept illegal drug activities.”
Drug war: NDLEA Expects More Interception of Illicit Drugs on Waterways and Seaports with Donation of Facility by British Government
India High Commission, KADIFF Screen Short Movies in Abuja
By: Michael Mike
High Commission of India, in collaboration with the Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF) has organized a special short Movie Screening and Panel Discussion.
The event, which held at the Chancery premises, was inaugurated by High Commissioner Amb Abhishek Singh, and brought together a vibrant cross-section of participants from the diplomatic community, including Heads of Mission, members of the Nollywood fraternity, film professionals, cultural enthusiasts, influencers, and friends of India.
The evening featured the screening of two thought-provoking short films — the Indian short film “Good Morning”, and the Nigerian film “Not So Long a Letter”.
Following the screenings, a lively panel discussion was held on the theme: “Celebration of our rich cultural heritage and the need for collaboration.”
The panelists, including Swat Duniah-Adalumo – Moderator (Journalist), Dr. Ahmed Sarari (Filmmaker), Francis Duru (Actor/Filmmaker) and Stephnora Okere (Actress/filmmaker) exchanged insights on how cinema can deepen mutual understanding, promote cross-cultural narratives, and foster creative partnerships between the Indian and Nigerian film industries.
The initiative was part of the High Commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen India-Nigeria cultural relations and promote Indian cinema through shared artistic expressions and storytelling traditions”
India High Commission, KADIFF Screen Short Movies in Abuja
National News
Non-kinetic team engages bandit leaders, communities in Birnin Gwari to strengthen peace initiative
Non-kinetic team engages bandit leaders, communities in Birnin Gwari to strengthen peace initiative
By: Zagazola Makama
In continuation of non-kinetic peace engagements across the 1 Division area of operation, representatives of key security and peace institutions on Tuesday visited Kuyello and surrounding communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State to sustain dialogue with repentant bandits and community leaders.
The visit, conducted on Nov. 11, was jointly led by representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and some Islamic clerics from the Kaduna State Peace Committee, with participation from 1 Division Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to sources, the team arrived Kuyello at about 11:30 a.m., where a meeting was held with key community stakeholders and repentant bandit leaders.
The Chairman of the committee urged the repentant bandits to remain committed to the peace agreement and desist from attacks, kidnappings, and preventing locals from accessing markets and farmlands.
He reminded them that the peace initiative was built on mutual trust and community safety.
During the engagement, the team learned of an unresolved conflict between vigilantes from Kompany village in the Layin Dan Auta area and residents of Layin Dan Lasa village, reportedly under the control of bandit leader Kachalla Risku.
The feud was traced to an earlier incident at a mining site on Oct. 16, 2025, where a Fulani local was killed and his weapon seized, leading to retaliatory attacks and kidnappings.
The sources noted that Risku agreed to release all kidnapped persons and return a police rifle in his custody.
However, he demanded the return of four motorcycles allegedly seized by locals during the October incident.
Community leaders, including the Hakimi, testified that the bandits had largely kept to their commitments under the peace accord, attributing the recent tensions to the refusal of residents of Layin Dan Auta to comply with the peace deal.
The team further stopped at Rikau and Rima villages during its return to Kaduna to meet other bandit leaders, including Kabiru and Dandukununu, who also pledged to uphold the peace agreement. Palliatives were handed over to them as part of confidence-building measures.
The delegation described the visit as successful, noting that it was aimed at preventing a relapse into violence and consolidating gains from the ongoing dialogue process.
At the end of the engagement, several resolutions were reached, including a directive for the Birnin Gwari Local Government Council and the Emirate Council to facilitate peace talks between the warring communities.
It was also resolved that all kidnapped victims in the custody of Risku be released immediately, while the police rifle held by his group should be handed over to security agencies without delay.
The team returned safely to Kaduna at about 7:50 p.m. after a hitch-free mission.
Non-kinetic team engages bandit leaders, communities in Birnin Gwari to strengthen peace initiative
UNODC Heralds Stakeholders for Assistance to Victims of Revenge Porn
By: Michael Mike
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, (UNODC) has heralded stakeholders to find way to assist victims of revenge porn.
The UNODC Nigeria Country Representative, Cheikh Touré while rallying stakeholders in the security sector to address the growing incidence of revenge pornography, at the opening of a three-day workshop on Cybercrime and Violence Against Women Through Information and Communication Technologies, (ICT), themed ‘Cyber-Interpersonal Violence: The Challenge of Responding to Revenge Porn,’ on Tuesday in Abuja, noted that cyber-violence of revenge porn is one of the most deeply personal forms of online harm that demands urgent attention to tackle because it tramples on human dignity and inflicts life-long emotional harm on victims.
Touré further said: “The non-consensual sharing of intimate images, commonly and painfully known as revenge porn is not just a technical issue, it’s not just a legal challenge, it is a profound violation of privacy, dignity, autonomy and security.
“It is a form of violence that leaves scars, not only on skins, but in lives and it is disproportionately affecting women though lets me be clear, it impacts men, young people and individuals from all walks of life. The trauma is universal, the devastation can be lifelong.”
The Country Representative stated that the United Nations Convention on Against Cybercrime, (UNCAC), also known as Hanoi Convention remains the key global legal instrument in combating all forms of cybercrimes as it has provisions that enable countries work together to fight the menace.
Touré, while urging participants to work together in understanding how to use the UNCAC to protect the public, said: “This workshop is not just about legal framework, this is about people, it’s about prevention, it’s about healing.
“It means closing jurisdictional gaps, so no perpetrator can hide behind borders and or technology. And overall, it means ensuring no survivor is left without justice, safety or support. And this is about building a Nigeria in a world where the digital space is not a battlefield for dignity, but a place where rights are protected.”
On her part, the Deputy Head of Mission of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nigeria, Kristin Wæringsaasen, said her government is solidly behind the UNODC, and willing to offer support to ensure the fight against the cybercrime of revenge porn and other cyber-violence are brought to a halt.
She said Norway’s partnership reflects a growing international commitment to addressing the complex challenges posed by technology-enabled violence.
Wæringsaasen said: “Digital technologies have transformed our societies in a profound way, they are open up new avenues for education, economic growth, civic engagement and global connectivity. But alongside these opportunities we are witnessing the emergence of new and deeply concerning forms of violence, particularly against women and girls.
“Cyber-related violence, including online harassment, exploitation and abuse, is not confined to virtual spaces, it has real world consequences, undermining safety, dignity and human rights. It’s enforcing existing inequalities and creates new barriers to participation, especially for women and girls.”
She however assured that Norway is proud to support UNODC, both globally and here in Nigeria through its development cooperation which aims to promote inclusive governance, human rights and the rule of law.
She said: “We believe that a strong and coordinated response to cyber-related violence is essential to achieving these goals. This workshop is an opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen institutional capacity and build a mutual sector response that is both effective and sustainable.
“It is also a chance to centre the voices of survivors, civil society and youth, whose experience and insights must guide our effort.”
UNODC Heralds Stakeholders for Assistance to Victims of Revenge Porn
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