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Alaafin Assures NDLEA of Support, Collaboration in Fight Against Illicit Drugs
Alaafin Assures NDLEA of Support, Collaboration in Fight Against Illicit Drugs
By: Michael Mike
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade has assured the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) of support and collaboration in his renewed mandate to curb the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.
The revered traditional ruler gave the assurance when he led two other royal fathers: Oloro of Oro, Oba Joel Olaniyan Olatoye and Olusin of Ijara Isin, Oba Ademola Julius Ajibola, on a courtesy visit to Marwa at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

He said he is proud of Marwa’s trajectory as Atunluse of Yoruba land.
According to him, “to be kind with you, we are proud of you. Your being in this position at the moment is not just by chance, it’s because of your devotion, your commitment. You have this amiable character. That’s why you are able to govern Borno and Lagos States, and you have always been a performer. Another thing which I can’t forget about you is the legacy of Keke Marwa that you brought to Nigeria.”
Responding directly to the appeal by the NDLEA boss to traditional rulers to support ongoing efforts against drug abuse in the country, the Alaafin assured of his readiness to mobilise his colleagues to work with the agency.
He said: “I’ve heard your message and the same thing with some of my colleagues here and some of my other traditional rulers, we are ready to collaborate with you. I have to tell you, we are at the grassroots, we are close to the community people. We know a lot about what’s going on. So, I’m using this opportunity to tell you that we are ready. We are more than ready to work with you and to give you all the necessary support to make sure that you are successful in this job. We can tell you that anytime you are in need of us, we will always be there for you.”

In his welcome remark, Marwa congratulated the Alaafin for ascending the throne of his forefathers. He charged him and other traditional rulers across the country to leverage on their influence at the local level to work with NDLEA to stamp out substance abuse in communities.
Marwa said: “The drug scourge in Nigeria is at an unacceptable limit and from the drug use survey report of 2018, we find that close to 15 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 use drugs. It’s a big problem and we have been mandated by President Tinubu, to stand up, fight the drug scourge, arrest those responsible, prosecute them and seize their assets, the traffickers. And on this assignment, we would like to call on the traditional institutions because it’s a very, very important institution.
“Nigerians respect the traditional institutions. Whoever you are in Nigeria, you still come from somewhere. And when you go back to that place, you pay homage to whoever is the leader of the community. And so when the traditional leader speaks, it carries weight. And equally we plead for traditional leaders to also engage the religious leaders in charge of churches and mosques in their domains, they should do serious advocacy against the use of drugs. The NDLEA is always prepared to work with the traditional institution.”

He said the agency will also appreciate getting information about drug dealers in local communities from traditional rulers because of the risk they pose to many youths and their families. “We really appreciate this collaboration and I know for a fact that if we are able to control drug use, even the criminalities will come down because all the people that are kidnappers and the insurgents, terrorists, bandits everywhere, they use drugs first to charge themselves up, to make them high.”
He expressed appreciation to Alaafin for the visit and wished him long successful reign in
good health, peace, development and prosperity in the entire Oyo Kingdom.
Alaafin Assures NDLEA of Support, Collaboration in Fight Against Illicit Drugs
News
Chad Accuses Sudanese Forces of Crossing Border, Bombing Convoy Deep Inside Chadian Territory
Chad Accuses Sudanese Forces of Crossing Border, Bombing Convoy Deep Inside Chadian Territory
By Zagazola Makama
The Chadian General Staff has accused the warring parties in Sudan of violating Chad’s territorial integrity after aircraft and drones allegedly pursued and bombarded a convoy more than 100 kilometres inside Chadian territory.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, near Chad’s common border with Sudan, particularly around the Mourdi Department in the Ennedi-Est Province.
In a communiqué issued to the national and international public, the Chadian General Staff said aerial and ground assessments conducted throughout Friday, August 21, confirmed that the fighting in Sudan had once again spilled into Chadian territory.
According to the military authorities, aircraft and drones identified as belonging to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and/or forces supporting them were involved in the pursuit of a convoy.
The Chadian military said the operation initially took place on Sudanese territory but subsequently extended deep into Chad, with the convoy reportedly pursued and bombarded more than 100 kilometres inside Chadian territory.
The military authorities did not provide details on the identity of the convoy, the nature of its cargo, or the circumstances that led to the pursuit across the border.
However, the Chadian General Staff described the incident as a fresh violation of the country’s territorial integrity and warned all parties involved in the Sudan conflict against attempting to extend the war into Chad.
“Although no Chadian casualties have been recorded to date,” the military said, it strongly condemned what it described as the latest violation of Chad’s territorial integrity.
The General Staff issued a stern warning to the Sudanese belligerents, saying continued attempts to expand the Sudanese conflict into Chadian territory could have serious consequences.
It described such actions as a “suicidal risk” for those seeking to bring the Sudanese war onto Chadian soil.
The latest incident comes amid the continuing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has increasingly generated security concerns for neighbouring countries.
Chad shares a long and porous border with Sudan, particularly along its eastern frontier, where the security situation has remained fragile due to the movement of armed groups, refugees, weapons and combatants fleeing the Sudanese conflict.
The Chadian military said its defence and security forces remain on the highest level of alert to prevent further violations and protect the country’s population.
It further assured citizens that the security forces are prepared to respond forcefully to any threat capable of undermining the peace and security of the Chadian people.
The statement did not indicate whether Chad had identified the specific aircraft or drones involved through direct visual confirmation, radar data or other intelligence means, but said assessments conducted through aerial and physical means established that the operation had crossed into Chadian territory.
The development raises concerns over the potential regionalisation of the Sudan conflict, particularly as fighting and military operations continue to take place close to Sudan’s borders with Chad and other neighbouring countries.
For Chad, the alleged incursion represents a particularly sensitive security issue given the country’s proximity to the conflict and the potential for cross-border military operations to trigger a broader confrontation.
The Chadian authorities have therefore placed their forces on heightened alert while warning the Sudanese belligerents that further violations of its territory could provoke an energetic response.
The Chadian General Staff stressed that its priority remains the protection of the country’s territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens amid the continuing instability along its eastern border.
Chad Accuses Sudanese Forces of Crossing Border, Bombing Convoy Deep Inside Chadian Territory
News
Troops Arrest 24-Year-Old Hunter With Dane Gun After Gunshots Report in Plateau
Troops Arrest 24-Year-Old Hunter With Dane Gun After Gunshots Report in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have arrested a 24-year-old man and recovered a Dane gun following a report of gunshots in the DTV general area of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident occurred at about 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, when troops deployed at DTV responded to reports of gunshots in the area.
According to military sources, the troops arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect, identified as Emmanuel Daniel, 24, who was found in possession of one Dane gun.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect claimed to have fired the shots while hunting in the area.
The suspect and the recovered weapon are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
The arrest followed the prompt response of troops to reports of gunfire as security forces continue efforts to maintain peace and security across communities in Plateau State.
Troops Arrest 24-Year-Old Hunter With Dane Gun After Gunshots Report in Plateau
News
GOC 3 Division Urges Irigwe Stakeholders to Embrace Dialogue, Peaceful Coexistence
GOC 3 Division Urges Irigwe Stakeholders to Embrace Dialogue, Peaceful Coexistence
By Zagazola Makama
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General W.M. Dangana, has urged the Irigwe community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State to embrace dialogue and peaceful coexistence in resolving differences and restoring lasting peace.
Dangana made the call on Friday, August 22, 2026, during a stakeholders’ engagement held at Miango community in Bassa LGA.
The engagement was attended by the Chief of Staff and Commander, Sector 3, Operation ENDURING PEACE, the entire Irigwe leadership and other stakeholders.
During the meeting, participants discussed critical security issues affecting the community and measures required to address the challenges and prevent further escalation of tensions.
The GOC emphasized the importance of dialogue as a means of resolving differences, urging the stakeholders to pursue peaceful solutions to issues affecting the community.
He also called on the Irigwe leadership and residents to promote peaceful coexistence, stressing the need for collective efforts towards restoring lasting peace in the community and Plateau State at large.
The engagement further illustrates the importance of cooperation between the security agencies, traditional institutions and local communities in addressing security challenges and strengthening peace-building efforts.
The meeting was hitch-free.
GOC 3 Division Urges Irigwe Stakeholders to Embrace Dialogue, Peaceful Coexistence
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