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Capital Punishment to Drug Offenders May Not Reduce Level of Crime, UNODC Warns

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Capital Punishment to Drug Offenders May Not Reduce Level of Crime, UNODC Warns

By: Michael Mike

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has said that the move by the Nigeria’s Senate to give capital punishment to drug trafficking offenders may add little or nothing to reducing the crime.

Country Representative, UNODC, Oliver Stolpe, gave the verdict at a two-day Media Personnel Training on Ant-Corruption, Police Accountability, Wildlife Crime and Sensitization on Drugs Prevention, Treatment and Care, (DPTC), organized by the UNODC, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other partners, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said: “The deterrent effect of death penalty as never convincingly be proven. There is no proof of the effectiveness of death penalty.

“Our stance as UN is clear on the death penalty we are principally and categorically against it. And from a very practical viewpoint, I have to say, it doesn’t make sense,” he said.

Stolpe insisted that the UN has always advocated for clear distinction between crimes of drug trafficking as opposed to the issue of drug use which it considers primarily to be a health issue,”and that should be dealt with as such. addiction is a health condition, it is not a choice.”

On the need for an updated drug data for Nigerians, he observed that the current national drug survey for Nigeria was last done six years ago, (2018), and therefore does not reflect the current situation for Nigeria.

He noted that: “The drug use survey of 2018 remains as far as I can tell the most cited study in the media, this data is outdated and I think a very critical question that media could ask at that point is really well, how can we still refer to 2018 data to describe today’s levels of drug use?

Speaking on the importance of the training,, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa, (Retired), said the media remains an indispensable partner in Nigeria’s drug war .

Represented by the Secretary NDLEA, Shedrach Haruna, he said “For us in NDLEA, the media is a valued partner on whom we rely to foster a friendly ecosystem that aids anti-illicit drug abuse and trafficking in society.

“This is well-thought training for media professionals, given that the media is a crucial link between the public and law enforcement and a potent tool for the entrenchment of transparency and accountability in the law enforcement process.”

Capital Punishment to Drug Offenders May Not Reduce Level of Crime, UNODC Warns

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Kwara Residents Call on the Federal Government to Rescue Residents Captured in Woro as a Video of Abductees Surfaces Online

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Kwara Residents Call on the Federal Government to Rescue Residents Captured in Woro as a Video of Abductees Surfaces Online

By:Bodunrin kayode

There has been urgent calls on the Federal, government with the military might to take swift action to rescue the 176 abducted residents of woro community back to safety away from captivity.

This came about after a disturbing video clip showing captured residents of the recent attack in Woro community, Kaiama council Area of Kwara State, surfaced online.

In the video, several women and young children, including infants, were paraded by the terrorists looking distressed and helpless.

A voice believed to be that of one of the attackers was heard behind the camera speaking in Hausa and questioning the victims about their numbers and were they were captured because they were quite a handful.

During the question and answer session the women and children responded that they were taken from Woro in Kaiama council so that their relations will know they are still alive.

“When asked how many they were, they answered that they were 176 in number. The same question was repeated to another woman in the video to confirm the figure.

” The person behind the camera also claimed that authorities had earlier announced a lower number of victims and said the video was proof of the actual figure.

“The victims were abducted after armed attackers invaded Woro community on February 3, 2025. During the attack, many lives were lost and homes were destroyed.

” The emergence of this video has increased fear and concern among residents and families of the victims.

“The people of the area continue to hope for the safe return of their loved ones and a lasting solution to the security challenges.” Said a source from the state.

Kwara Residents Call on the Federal Government to Rescue Residents Captured in Woro as a Video of Abductees Surfaces Online

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Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger

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Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

Five soldiers were killed and three others declared missing following a clash between Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS) and suspected Islamic State fighters in Sanam, Tillabéri Region of western Niger.

Security sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 12, 2026, during a confrontation between troops and suspected members of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) operating in the area.

The clash reportedly took place in Sanam Zone, a locality near the Niger–Mali border known for recurrent armed attacks by jihadist groups.

According to the sources, the soldiers were engaged in an operation when they came under heavy attack, leading to a standoff. Five personnel were confirmed dead, while three others were declared missing after the encounter.

The Tillabéri Region has remained a hotspot of insurgent activities due to its proximity to Mali and Burkina Faso, with security forces frequently conducting operations to contain armed groups.

Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the latest incident, while search efforts are reportedly ongoing to locate the missing soldiers.

Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger

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Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack

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Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack

By: Zagazola Makama

A Combined Army and Police operatives have rescued 12 kidnapped victims following an armed attack by suspected kidnappers in Oke-Ako area of Ekiti State.

Sources disclosed that the incident occurred on Feb. 13 at about 9:00 a.m., when sporadic gunfire was heard near their base. Preliminary assessment indicated the gunshots were from an assault launched by suspected kidnappers in the area.

Army troops, in collaboration RRS,Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS), and local security outfits, swiftly mobilised to the scene. On sighting the security forces, the attackers engaged in a gun duel, but were overpowered and forced to retreat into the forest, taking two victims with them.

Through intensified operations, the security forces successfully rescued 12 victims unhurt, while one, identified as Jeremiah Gambo, sustained a gunshot injury and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital in Ikole Local Government Area for treatment.

The troops also recovered an unregistered Boxer Bajaj motorcycle, a white Nissan Cabstar pick-up with registration number EJG-96XB, and a wine-coloured Toyota Corolla with registration number KLE-575AE, all belonging to the victims.

Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack

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