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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.
UPDATE: Five dead, 35 injured in suicide IED attack on Gamborun mosque
By: Zagazola Makama
No fewer than five worshippers were killed, while 35 others sustained injuries on Wednesday following an improvised explosive device (IED) attack by a suicide bomber at a mosque in Gamborun area of Maiduguri, Borno State.
The incident occurred at about 6:15 p.m. during Magrib prayers when the attacker detonated the IED inside the mosque, which was filled with worshippers.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident, saying the explosion killed five persons on the spot and left 35 others with varying degrees of injuries.
Daso said the injured victims were immediately evacuated to hospitals in Maiduguri for medical treatment.
He added that men of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, alongside other security agencies, were deployed to the scene to secure the area, cordon off the vicinity and conduct thorough checks to rule out the presence of secondary explosive devices.
UPDATE: Five dead, 35 injured in suicide IED attack on Gamborun mosque
Bomb explodes inside mosque in Maiduguri market, worshippers killed
By: Zagazola Makama
Several worshippers were killed on Tuesday after an explosive device detonated inside a mosque at Gamborun Market in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The explosion occurred while worshippers were gathered for prayers, causing panic and chaos within the busy market area.
Eyewitnesses said the blast ripped through part of the mosque, killing some worshippers instantly and leaving others with varying degrees of injuries.
Traders and residents in the area were seen fleeing the scene as thick smoke billowed from the mosque, while others attempted to assist victims before emergency responders arrived.
Security operatives cordoned off the area shortly after the incident to prevent further casualties and to allow for preliminary assessment of the situation.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of casualties had not been officially confirmed.
Bomb explodes inside mosque in Maiduguri market, worshippers killed
Igbo Association Raises Alarm Over Abuja–South East Highways, Seeks Urgent Federal Action
By: Michael Mike
Igbo residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja have expressed worries about the worsening condition of major highways linking Abuja to the South East, warning that continued neglect has turned the roads into serious safety hazards for commuters and businesses.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Igbo Community Association in the Federal Capital Territory (ICA FCT) said the poor state of the road network had persisted for decades, despite repeated appeals for rehabilitation.
The group in a statement signed by the association’s President General, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, and Secretary General, Mazi Emmanuel Chinwoke Onah,
noted that large sections of the highways are riddled with potholes, failed portions and weak security presence, making travel dangerous and discouraging economic activities between the North Central and South East regions.
The group argued that the situation reflects long-standing infrastructure neglect and an uneven distribution of national resources, adding that the dilapidated roads have become attractive routes for criminal operations, including armed robbery and kidnappings.
According to ICA FCT, the impact of the bad roads goes beyond transportation challenges, contributing to youth frustration, reduced commercial exchanges and a growing sense of exclusion among people of the South East. The association urged the Federal Government to declare an emergency on the affected corridors and begin immediate reconstruction to ensure the safety of travelers, particularly during the festive season.
The association also called on lawmakers from the South East and the Minister of Works to take responsibility for restoring the roads to acceptable standards, stressing that infrastructure development is critical to national cohesion and economic growth.
Warning of political consequences, the group said communities in the South East would hold their representatives accountable if tangible progress is not recorded before the 2027 general elections. It added that voters would be mobilized to oppose the re-election of lawmakers perceived to have failed in addressing the issue.
Reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of Igbo people, the ICA FCT said it would continue to advocate for improved infrastructure, enhanced security and equitable development across all regions of the country.
End
UPDATE: Five dead, 35 injured in suicide IED attack on Gamborun mosque
Bomb explodes inside mosque in Maiduguri market, worshippers killed
Igbo Association Raises Alarm Over Abuja–South East Highways, Seeks Urgent Federal Action
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