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Continuous training key to successful fight against drug cartels – Marwa
Continuous training key to successful fight against drug cartels – Marwa
By: Michael Mike
The importance of training in tackling the scourge of drug trafficking has been emphasised by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd).
Marwa stated this on Friday at the closing ceremony of a two-week training sponsored by the German government for NDLEA officers on combating international drug trafficking.
The closing ceremony, held at the agency’s national headquarters was attended by top management team of the agency and a team of German instructors led by a representative of the German embassy in Nigeria.
Speaking at the occasion, Marwa said: “To tackle the drug challenge, the number one priority, obviously, is the professionalism of the human resources, which you can only achieve through training. Unless personnel are properly equipped with training, they cannot do their job. That is the more reason we are emphasizing the training of our personnel.”
The two-week training organised by the German Federal Criminal Police Office, otherwise known as Bundeskriminalamnt (BKA) covered core areas including principles of crime scene investigations and training in West Africa Police Investigation System (WAPIS). The 23 participants, drawn from various departments of the agency, were engaged in classroom work, presentations and practical exercises for the duration of the programme.
The representative of the German embassy, Ms. Uduak Abasi Akpabio said: “The federal foreign office funding of this programme is part of the German government’s greater engagement in police reforms and security sector reform more generally. Our support reflects the German government’s commitment to fostering stability, especially as it pertains to addressing the menace of international drug trafficking.”
She further appreciated the work of the NDLEA which she described as “a critical pillar in safeguarding Nigeria’s stability, security and wellbeing of its citizens”, adding that: “By investing in the capacity of these officers, you have strengthened not only Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking but also the global framework for combating this menace.”
Marwa, while appreciating the German government’s gesture, said: “We appreciate deeply the gesture of supporting the NDLEA with the right training for combating international drug trafficking. It’s a collaborative effort now. Because the drug terrain is international.”
He noted that the canine unit supplied and funded by the Germans has been very effective in critical cases such as the discovery of the Captagon shipment in Lagos Port in 2021.
He said: “To those who have been trained today, congratulations. You are quite lucky to receive this calibre of training from the BKA, one of the world’s most efficient institutions on criminal policing. You have to remember that German training in any respect is at its peak globally. Count yourselves lucky that you are beneficiaries of training from BKA and you have to take full advantage of it and let’s see it on the ground. We also, in time, take full advantage of this training to also train others in the skills that you have acquired.”
The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates to the participants.
The BKA liaison officer in Nigeria, Dominik Muller presented a donation of kits and resources for substance test to the agency, while the NDLEA also presented plaques and mementos to the trainers in appreciation of their efforts.
News
Bayelsa East Leaders, Elders, Women, Youths To Protest Over Marginalization In Sen Douye Diri Administration
Bayelsa East Leaders, Elders, Women, Youths To Protest Over Marginalization In Sen Douye Diri Administration
Leaders, stakeholders, women and youths in Bayelsa East Senatorial District has perfected preparations to stage a peaceful protest against Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri over marginalization and neglect in political appointments in the government since inception.
The people of the east also deserves sensitive offices in the government for their resolute support for the government since inception, but they have been marginalized. The office of the deputy governor from the east will balance the political structure.
Marginalization of the east people in sensitive government appointments is an outright disrespect to the former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, Gen. Melford Okilo, and other leaders from the east senatorial district.
Even though the speaker of the state house of assembly is not considered, there are other competent individuals eminently qualified to handle the office of the deputy governor for the remaining years of the government.
The governor should consult former president, and other leaders from the east to chose a deputy governor from either Ogbia, Nembe or Brass.
The eastern region planned peaceful protest is a furtherance expression of dissatisfaction in accordance and solidarity with the group, the Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress Grassroot Movement (BSAGM) condemnation of Governor Diri administration over marginalization of appointments.
According to the eastern people, the governor has consciously and deliberately marginalized the east in sensitive political appointments in the government, pointing out that all the top offices in the government are handled by his relatives from Kolokuma-Opokuma and Sagbama.
For instance; all government house appointments are handled by his relatives, the chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, Director of Domestic, Director of Transport, including S.A Political, and other sensitive appointments in the government.
Governor Douye Diri has deliberately neglected and marginalized the east, we will exercise our constitutional right of a peaceful protest to express our dissatisfaction to the world.
Since the creation of Bayelsa State, successive administrations had maintained political conglomeration across the three senatorial district in the state, but Diri administration had neglected the east from inception.
The east is only been marginalized, and neglected in Diri administration. Alamieyeseigha, Jonathan, Sylva, and Dickson carried out fair, equal appointments, infrastructure across the state, in their administrations.
Successive governments since 1999, had fairly and transparently distributed political appointments across the senatorial district, but the contrary is Diri’s administration.
It is absolutely unfortunate that the east had been undermined by Diri, running a one-sided government of Kolokuma-Opokuma, and the whole state is watching the government.
In exercise of constitutional right of a peaceful protest, the east will carry out a peaceful protest to government house next week to publicly express their dissatisfaction to the world over the undemocratic marginalization of appointments in Diri administration.
Signed:
Chief Samuel Azibator – Ogbia
High Chief Nengi Sylvanus -Nembe
Chief Williams Naworio – Brass
Bayelsa East Leaders, Elders, Women, Youths To Protest Over Marginalization In Sen Douye Diri Administration
Security operatives recover AK-47 rifle in Kaduna community
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition from a fleeing suspect.
Zagazola learnt that the recovery was made at about 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 11, 2026, during a routine patrol along the Kauru–Unguwan Ganye Road.
Security sources said the patrol team received intelligence about a suspicious motorcycle rider heading toward the area.
Following the tip-off, the operatives immediately mounted a snap roadblock along the route.
On sighting the checkpoint, the rider reportedly abandoned his motorcycle, dropped a bag and fled into nearby bush paths.
A search of the abandoned bag led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle with its breach number filed off, one magazine and one 6.2mm live ammunition.
Security personnel have since launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspect.
Security operatives recover AK-47 rifle in Kaduna community
Suspected IED explosion foiled at Bayelsa State Secretariat, suspect arrested
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives have arrested a man following a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) incident at the Bayelsa State Secretariat in Yenagoa.
Zagazola reports that the explosion was heard on Feb. 11, 2026, at about 6:00 a.m., prompting an immediate response from police operatives attached to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit.
Sources said that the suspect, identified as Pentecost Elijah, 60, of Otuan in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, reportedly admitted to placing the suspected explosives in the secretariat complex.
According to preliminary investigations, the suspect claimed he sought to draw attention from the State Government due to perceived neglect.
The sources said that the area has been cordoned off, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, along with CBRN specialists, are conducting thorough sweeps of the complex. Authorities confirmed that the situation is currently under control, and investigations are ongoing.
Suspected IED explosion foiled at Bayelsa State Secretariat, suspect arrested
Bayelsa East Leaders, Elders, Women, Youths To Protest Over Marginalization In Sen Douye Diri Administration
Security operatives recover AK-47 rifle in Kaduna community
Farmer killed, another injured in herder attack in Yobe
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