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Capital Punishment to Drug Offenders May Not Reduce Level of Crime, UNODC Warns
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noted that: “The drug use survey of 2018 remains as far as I can tell the most cited study in the media, this data is outdated and I think a very critical question that media could ask at that point is really well, how can we still refer to 2018 data to describe today’s levels of drug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
Gombe police launch investigation after clash at wedding leaves one dead
By: Zagazola Makama
Police in Gombe State have commenced investigation following a deadly clash during a wedding send-off party in Tulmi, Akko Local Government Area, which left one person dead and others injured.
According to a sources, the incident occurred on Feb. 1, 2026, at about 10:30 p.m., when a group of men identified as Wada Hussaini, Ganji Alhaji Idi, Yaya Hussaini, Mohammed Maikudi, Bello Alhaji Idi, and one Tijjani, all from Garin Ardo Usman village, reportedly clashed with Abubakar Usman, 35, and Bello Adamu, 19, at the wedding organized by Godiya Mai Rai.
The confrontation resulted in serious injuries to Abubakar Usman, Bello Adamu, and Wada Hussaini. The injured were rushed to Cottage Hospital Tumu for treatment, but Abubakar Usman was confirmed dead. His corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
The suspects fled the scene following the incident, and police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend them. Investigation into the case has commenced.
Gombe police launch investigation after clash at wedding leaves one dead
Two children drown in Bauchi river, police investigate
By: Zagazola Makama
Two children drowned while swimming in a river on the outskirts of Bauchi metropolis, Bauchi State, police said.
According to sources, the victims, Saminu Mohammed, 12, and Tanimu Danladi, 11, both of Gudum Sayawa, went to a river in the area on Feb. 2, 2026, at about 4:30 p.m., when the incident occurred.
Police personnel swiftly moved to the scene, evacuated the children, and conveyed them to the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, where they were certified dead by a medical practitioner.
Their remains were later released to their relatives for burial, while investigation into the incident continues.
Two children drown in Bauchi river, police investigate
Sokoto police arrest suspected bandits’ informants, financiers, recover rustled cows
By: Zagazola Makama
Sokoto State Police Command, in collaboration with the Community Guard, has arrested suspected bandits’ informants and financiers and recovered seven rustled cows along with a motorcycle.
Sources said that on Feb. 2, 2026, at about 1:00 a.m., operatives acting on credible intelligence swooped on Sarma Village in Tangaza Local Government Area, arresting two suspects, Nura Dan Haruna, 20, and Buhari Salah, 18, found in possession of seven stolen cows and a motorcycle without registration number.
The suspects reportedly confessed that they had been sent by Abdullahi Gulum and Dan Iko, both at large, to deliver the cows to Hamza Ibrahim, 56, of Kara Area, Illela, who has also been arrested.
Hamza reportedly admitted that he sold two of the cows last month to Abubakar Muhammad, 31, of Gwadabawa LGA, who was subsequently taken into custody.
Police confirmed that investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend the remaining suspects.
Sokoto police arrest suspected bandits’ informants, financiers, recover rustled cows
Gombe police launch investigation after clash at wedding leaves one dead
Two children drown in Bauchi river, police investigate
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