News

Drug War: NDLEA ‘ll deploy personnel in 774 LGAs in 2024 – Marwa

Published

1 year ago

October 27, 2023

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Drug War: NDLEA ‘ll deploy personnel in 774 LGAs in 2024 – Marwa

. Katsina Gov. Radda seeks partnership with Agency

By: Michael Mike

Personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are to be deployed in all 774 local government areas of the country.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) of the agency who said the deployment would be made sometimes in 2024, revealed that the was part of efforts to strengthen the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking especially in local communities.

He stated this while responding to request for partnership and deployment of more NDLEA officers in all parts of Katsina State by the state governor, Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda to tame the problem of drug abuse and insecurity.

Marwa said with the agency’s staff strength expected to rise to 15,000 by the end of the year, the next “development is to deploy in the LGAs. We currently have zonal commands, state commands, and area commands. We want to go to the LGAs for the offensive action and the advocacy work. We would need more support to succeed. I appreciate the work of the Katsina governor as the challenges are numerous in governing the state. But if insecurity is a problem and is fueled by drugs, I believe we have to collectively take it out of the security equation.”

He commended Governor Radda for his efforts to surmount the various challenges faced and enhance the socio-economic development of the state.

He noted that: “The drug menace is a huge issue and has destroyed the lives of our youths and communities. It is the public enemy number one, and especially the criminal aspect of it. 99% of the criminals must first have access to drugs and be under the influence to perpetrate some of their acts. That is why the NDLEA under the collective support of the directorates and the management has put all efforts towards operation ‘offensive action.’ This involves going out to seize all drugs cultivated, imported or on the verge of being exported out of the country.

“Over 6,668 tons of illicit substances have been seized in two years, and we assure that we will continue relentlessly until the streets are clean of drugs. This is the drug supply reduction aspect, where we arrest the perpetrators of the act, and over 36,096 suspects have been arrested and more than 6,043 already prosecuted and convicted within this period.”

He said the other side of the fight is drug demand reduction, which focuses on prevention, treatment and aftercare of drug dependent persons. “The preventive measure faces those who have not started or are about starting drug use. They are targeted through advocacy and sensitisation across all levels. It is for this reason we structured the WADA initiative from the National to LGA levels. We appeal to the government to have a state drug control committee of which the NDLEA will be the secretary and the chairperson would be the First Lady of the state. The first ladies are in the strategic position, because they are the mothers and have the best interest of the government at heart.”

Speaking earlier, Governor Radda said he was at the agency as part of his government’s efforts to solve the problem of insecurity facing the state.

He said. “It is no longer news that the problem of insecurity has been ongoing for years and insecurity is one of the major issues confronting Katsina state. We receive unpleasant news almost on a daily basis on what has been the issues disturbing the state for a long time. We have taken some needful steps, we set up a Katsina community watch corps with locals to complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies but that is not enough. We decided to reach out to the NDLEA under the leadership of the Chairman/Chief Executive to combine our efforts and synergise to mitigate the effect of insecurity in the state. We must get to the root of the problem, and the root of the problem is drug abuse by the teeming youths in the state. We know that these inhumane acts cannot be committed without the influence of drugs.

“This synergy is important and I recognize that the NDLEA has been making a lot of efforts in supporting the government. But we still need more support from the Chairman/Chief Executive to stop the movement of drugs and ensure the arrest and prosecution of dealers in the state. We are appealing for better partnership and synergy to reduce the abuse of drugs, the activities of banditry and trafficking in the state. We hope the partnership will go a long way in alleviating the issues of the state and improving the economy. Once insecurity is reduced, economic activities will be conducted better. I appeal to the NDLEA for this support, and on behalf of the Katsina state government, we appreciate the NDLEA for the work you are doing. We hope this visit enhances a better working relationship between the NDLEA and the state.”

Drug War: NDLEA ‘ll deploy personnel in 774 LGAs in 2024 – Marwa

News

MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group

Published

12 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group

CELEBRATING PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU

The President/Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, has been announced “MAN OF THE YEAR” by THISDAY Newspapers and ARISE News Board of Editors.

The prestigious recognition reaffirmed Mr. President’s exemplary leadership, visionary thinking, and unwavering commitment to transforming the country amid mounting economic and security challenges.

The awards organisers also noted that the President has marched on with courage and determination to change Nigeria for the better, and proven to be a leader who is driven more by convictions and taken decisions which are in the best interest of the nation.

To commemorate this milestone, THISDAY is unveiling a Special Edition on Monday, January 27, 2025, to afford the President’s
aides, friends, well-wishers, and associates the opportunity to share in the joy and pride that the award brings to Mr. President through placement of Congratulatory/Goodwill messages to honour the awardee among other award recipients.

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MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group

News

Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident

Published

12 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident

By: Michael Mike

Nigerian government has commiserated with the government and people of Türkiye over the fire incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort that resulted in the death of 66 persons injured over 50 others.

The condolence message was contained in a statement signed by the acting spokesperson of the federal ministry of foreign affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

The statement read: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to express deep condolence to the Government and People of the Republic of Turkiye over the unfortunate fire incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort.

“The fire, which claimed the lives of 66 persons and injured over 50 others in Bolu Province in Northwestern Turkiye, was reported to have started in the early hours of Tuesday 21st January 2025.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria sympathizes with the Government of the Republic of Turkiye and the families of the victims of the fire incident, and also wishes a speedy recovery of the injured.”

Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident

News

Yobe’s Commitment To Agric. Development very Impressive -Islamic Development Bank

Published

14 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Yobe’s Commitment To Agric. Development very Impressive -Islamic Development Bank

By: Mamman Mohammed

The Islamic Development Bank has expressed satisfaction with the preparedness of Yobe state government to partner the bank for an agricultural project.

Mr. Javed khan, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the Bank stated this at a courtesy call on Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, at the Government House, Damaturu.

Khan said the commitment of Yobe state government to meeting its obligations is quite impressive and encouraging.

Khan who led a team from the bank on assessment tour of the state to see for itself the documents developed and the preparations on ground for the project, said the team was convinced with government’s committment to the project.

“We were initially discouraged not to come to Yobe state citing insecurity but, we insisted on coming and are impressed with the peace and security, and the government’s commitment to the project.

“We are working towards a target in the next three months for the state to obtain approval from the bank for the project.

“The working synergy between our team and your team suggests that we will achieve our target within the stipulated time frame” Khan said.

Responding, Governor Buni commended the Bank for not listening to the enemies of progress of the state.

“l am glad you did not listen to them, some of whom have never been anywhere close to Yobe state but giving stories about what they don’t know.

“You are now here and you have seen things for yourselves and can tell the story better. We are ready for this partnership using agriculture to drive the economy of our state and the people.

“All the 17 local government areas in the state are now accessible and the people can access their farms and make this proposed project successful” Buni said.

The Governor explained the importance of agriculture to the people, adding “this project would guarantee food security and economic prosperity in our post insurgency recovery programme.

“The resilience exhibited by our people in embracing agriculture being their major preoccupation to rebuild their lives after the protracted insecurity is very encouraging and need to be supported” he said.

The Governor re-ephasized the readiness of his administration to partner the bank to make agricultural development in the state a huge success story.

Yobe’s Commitment To Agric. Development very Impressive -Islamic Development Bank