FCT police nab bolt rider with hard drugs in Apo

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Police Force(NPF) FCT command has arrested a suspected drug transporter, Boniface Yakubu, 37, in possession of hard drugs at the NNPC Mega Station, Apo, Abuja.

According to police sources, he suspect, a Bolt rider from Nasarawa State, was arrested at about 6:05 p.m. on June 19 after operatives acted on credible intelligence.

“Boniface Yakubu was intercepted while riding a Qlink motorcycle. A search led to the recovery of five sachets of a substance suspected to be Canadian Loud, weighing approximately 32.05 grams,”said the sources.

The source added that during preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed that he was contacted by an unidentified individual to deliver the substance to a client.

The police said efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the principal drug peddlers behind the operation, adding that the case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.

FCT police nab bolt rider with hard drugs in Apo

Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic approach yielding significant results under 1 Division

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army’s 1 Division, under its current operational concept, is making remarkable strides in securing peace and stability across its area of responsibility, employing a blend of non-kinetic initiatives alongside its kinetic operations, a strategy that is delivering measurable and sustainable results.

1 Division, under the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YANMA, Maj.-Gen. Lander Saraso, has made significant strides in securing its area of responsibility, dismantling terrorist networks, rescuing kidnapped victims, and strengthening civil-military relations. The non-kinetic approach which focuses on reconciliation, dialogue, civic engagement, and fostering collaboration with community stakeholders is turning the tide in the battle against terrorism and criminal activity in Kaduna state.

This Kinetic and non Kinetic initiative, implemented under the guidance of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede and supported by the Kaduna State Government as well as Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, is not only dismantling the 12 year long bandits operational structures but also addressing the root causes of violence, adding a human dimension to the Nigerian Military campaigns.

This innovative approach has resulted in the voluntary surrender of 16 terrorist kingpins, many previously considered hardline elements. Among those who chose peace over conflict were Dogo Gide, Yellow Jambros, Kwolomeri, Alhaji Labi, Biliya, Gwamna, and Kabiru Boderi the younger brother and eventual successor to the infamous terrorist leader, Boderi Isyaku. These individuals turned in their weapons alongside their promises to pursue peace and disassociate themselves from violence. Scores of the bandits terrorising not less than five local government areas agreed to drop their arms and discontinue their reign of terror in and around the state.

The bandits are known to terrorise Chikun, Kajuru, Kagarko, Giwa and Birnin Gwari local government areas. They have also terrorised communities and major highways, such as the Kaduna-Abuja highway, Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway, as well as the Funtua-Birnin Gwari road.

This policy of reconciliation and dialogue further opened the way for the unconditional release of 559 kidnapped victims, many of whom had been held under harrowing conditions for months. Among the victims freed was Dr Ganiyat Popoola, a consultant with the National Eye Center in Kaduna, whose continued detention had previously triggered a warning strike by members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), reflecting the growing concern for their colleague’s safety.

While employing these non-kinetic measures, the division kept up strong operational pressure against terrorist formations and collaborators. This resulted in the neutralization of numerous high-profile terrorist suspects and the recovery of a significant cache of arms and equipment 175 weapons, including PKMGs, AK-47s, G3s, alongside 4,346 rounds of various calibers of ammunition.

Furthermore, a total of 169 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued, while 260 stolen livestock 146 of them cows, were recovered and subsequently handed back to their respective owners. Large quantities of food items, solar equipment, and other logistics previously held by the terrorist groups were also recovered. Suspected collaborators were identified and handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation.

The 1 Div of the Nigerian Army headquartered in Kaduna, coordinating the operations of lower formations across the Northwest, has, all along, commanded the operations of the ground troops combating the global-scale menace in the Northwest, in collaboration and synergy with the Air Task Force component of the military, the government of Kaduna State and other security agencies.

The Nigerian military peace restoration efforts have ensured that areas which use to be the flashpoint in the axis Kuriga, Manini Chikun, Pole Wire, Birnin Gwari, Ungwan Namama, Kwalba, Rafin Dawa Dende,Ungwan Madaki, Buruku, Udawa,  Doka, Maganda, Dogon Dawa, Sabon Layi-Kuriga-Maganda-Farin Ruwa, Sabon Birni, Kuyelo,Farin Ruwa, Damba to Kangon Kadi, Labi,Udawa river Apewohe, Dakwala and Kunai among others, were all cleared.

The troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA’s exploits also led to death of many terrorists, in Maidaro, Kagi Hill, Kusharki, Zartake, Ungwan Lima Riyawa, Tungan Madaki, Gengere,Kaso Gwagwada-Chikun-Sarkin Pawa Kidandan, Giwa LGA. Galadimawa, Dogon Dawa, Saulawa, Maidaro, Maganda, Goron Dutse, Sararai, Kushaka, Kuriga, and Yelwa among others.

Maj.-Gen. Lander Saraso, has reaffirmed that
this combination of non-kinetic initiatives alongside strong operational pressure has fostered greater collaboration and understanding within the communities, disrupted the operations of the terrorist groups, and significantly improved the overall security climate in Kaduna state.

Additionally, the 1 Division facilitated extensive free medical outreaches in vulnerable and conflict-affected communities, strengthening relationships between the military and the populace, and fostering understanding and unity. Traditional, religious, and market leaders were engaged through peace meetings, while initiatives like the Football for Peace Tournament held in collaboration with Simoiben Football Academy fostered reconciliation amongst the youth, many of whom are vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups. Public speaking engagements were also used to educate the youth on their role in securing their future emphasizing peace, unity, education, and civic responsibility.

The Nigerian Army under 1 Division remain committed to employing all available means including dialogue, reconciliation, education, civic engagement, and decisive action to consolidate peace and enable the eventual return to normalcy and stability in the region.

According to him, the division’s approach stands as a clear affirmation that peace cannot be won by force alone, but through understanding, dialogue, justice, and compassion.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region

Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic approach yielding significant results under 1 Division

FG Validates Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria on Wednesday took a significant step toward halting biodiversity loss and reducing the degradation of high-biodiversity areas to near zero with the
Federal Government officially validated the revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2025–2030.

The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2025-2030, is a comprehensive roadmap aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The validation was performed in Abuja by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, who was represented by the Director of the Forestry Department, Dr. Amah Moses.

Speaking at the event, the Minister said the newly updated NBSAP is broad in scope, with ambitious and comprehensive targets that aim to transform Nigeria’s biodiversity landscape.

He noted that: “Target 1 alone will have a massive impact,” while adding that the NBSAP has outlined Nigeria’s unique biodiversity, including its rich ecosystems and endemic species, which are deeply integrated into the country’s economy, ecology, and culture.

He said: “As is clearly articulated in the NBSAP, Nigeria is blessed with some of the richest biodiversity in Africa,” Lawal said. “This impressive biodiversity not only supports food security, healthcare, fresh water access, and agriculture, but is also essential to the overall wellbeing of Nigerians.”

The Minister stressed that preserving biodiversity is not just an environmental necessity but a national priority, with the plan designed to bring biodiversity loss in critical areas close to zero.

Lawal, while acknowledging that implementing the NBSAP will be a challenging task, however expressed confidence that with persistence, dedication, and collaboration among stakeholders, the goals of the strategy can be realized for the benefit of all Nigerians.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, who was also represented at the event, described the validation workshop as a crucial milestone in Nigeria’s environmental conservation efforts.

He noted that, over the past months, experts, policymakers, and stakeholders had worked diligently to review and refine the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to ensure it aligns with global best practices and national development priorities.

“As we come together today to validate this important document, we are reaffirming our collective commitment to transforming the NBSAP into actionable solutions,” he stated.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), Joseph Ojo, highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in biodiversity conservation.

He said: “Biodiversity affects all of us, and our actions or inactions affect biodiversity conservation in Nigeria.”

Ojo emphasized that environmental conservation ultimately benefits humanity, stating, “Let us know that we are not doing the environment a favor, we are actually doing ourselves a favor. Because at the end of the day, the environment does not really need us, we need the environment.”

FG Validates Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan