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ECOWAS Moves to Combat Drug Abuse in West Africa, Develops Comprehensive Digital Platform to Generate Data
ECOWAS Moves to Combat Drug Abuse in West Africa, Develops Comprehensive Digital Platform to Generate Data
By: Michael Mike
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has moved to combat drug abuse in the West Africa subregion with the development of a comprehensive digital platform to serve as a centralized system for data input by national focal points, as well as enhance the West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU) project.
The Commissioner, Human Development and Social Affairs, ECOWAS Commission, Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, disclosed the commencement of the process at the Validation Workshop of the 2024 Report of the West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU), in Abuja.
Declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner, Human Development and Social Affairs, represented by the Head of Drug Prevention and Control at ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Daniel Amankwaah, said the ECOWAS Commission takes priority in improving and sustaining the WENDU.
He said: “The development of this platform underscores ECOWAS’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in combating drug abuse and its associated consequences, contributing to improved public health and security across West Africa.”
He noted that: “The platform is envisioned to be a robust, secure, and user-friendly system that caters for the diverse needs of its users, facilitating a more coordinated and effective regional response to drug-related issues.”
He added that: “We begin the validation of the 2024 drug data which will be published soon in a yet to be determined Member State. The data has been compiled by the resource persons and we look forward to your review of the data to make sure they represent what was transmitted. A credible WENDU report is crucial to improving evidence-based drug prevention and control activities both at the national and regional levels.
“In this regard, the ECOWAS Commission puts a high importance on the collection, collation and validation of the WENDU data before it is published. This 3 days’ workshop will also be used to improve the capacity of the WENDU focal points in the collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of drug-related data through the training on new data collection tools.
“I assure you that ECOWAS Commission is very committed and will continue to do its best with all Member States and Partners to effectively fulfil its role in making sure that the drug menace is effectively controlled. All of us working together we shall succeed. On this note, I wish you a very successful training and validation of the 2024 WENDU data.”
On her part, the Director, Narcotics and Drug Abuse at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs Henrietta Bakura-Onyeneke said. “We gather at a critical juncture—one that demands renewed resolve and collective action in confronting the evolving landscape of drug use and trafficking across our region. The impact of substance use disorders—intertwined with poverty, crime, public health burdens, and social exclusion—continues to pose significant challenges to development and stability in West Africa.”
She added that: “This workshop underscores the core of what WENDU stands for: strengthening our regional capacity to generate accurate, timely, and actionable data—data that not only reflects the magnitude and patterns of drug use, but also enables us to design informed, effective, and sustainable responses. Our ability to build strong, coordinated national mechanisms for surveillance and reporting is key to shaping the future of drug prevention and control in ECOWAS Member States.
“Over the next three days, we will engage in the validation of the 2024 WENDU regional report, ensuring that the data transmitted by our dedicated National Focal Points truly captures the realities on the ground—drug seizures, arrests, treatment admissions, and emerging trends. We will also invest in capacity building, equipping our focal points with new tools and methodologies to improve data collection, analysis, and dissemination.”
She said: “This is not just a technical exercise; it is a call to action—a regional imperative to protect the health, security, and well-being of our communities. Let us seize this opportunity to collaborate, learn, and strengthen our collective resolve in addressing substance use and illicit drug trafficking across ECOWAS.”
ECOWAS Moves to Combat Drug Abuse in West Africa, Develops Comprehensive Digital Platform to Generate Data
Gov. Mutfwang visits scene of deadly attack in Plateau, assures justice for victims
By: Zagazola Makama
Gov. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State on Wednesday visited Jebbu and Gwon communities in Riyom Local Government Area following the gruesome killing of 15 persons by suspected Fulani militias.
Zagazola Makama report that the attack, which occurred on Tuesday night, also left four others injured.
The governor, accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, members of the State Executive Council, Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, and heads of other security agencies, visited the crime scene to commiserate with the affected families and residents.
While addressing the bereaved families in Jebbu, Mutfwang condemned the killings and described them as inhumane and unacceptable.
He assured the victims that the government would leave no stone unturned in investigating the attack and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“I urge you all not to take the law into your hands. The government and security agencies are committed to protecting you and ensuring that such acts do not go unpunished,” the governor said.
The governor also visited Gwon community in the same LGA, where he addressed residents on the need for vigilance and proactive security reporting.
“I appeal to you to remain alert and always report any suspicious movement to the Police or relevant security agencies,” he added.
Plateau state has been plagued by farmer and herders crises with both sides carrying attacks and reprisals. Government response seems to be ineffective as its refused to address the root causes of the violence.
Gov. Mutfwang visits scene of deadly attack in Plateau, assures justice for victims
Police sergeant shot dead in Edo escort ambush, AK-47 rifle and N5m carted away
By: Zagazola Makama
A police sergeant, Aminu Yusuf, has been shot dead by suspected armed robbers in Benin City, Edo State, during an official escort assignment involving a Chinese expatriate.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 2:45 p.m. along First East Circular Road in Benin shortly after the escort team had left a bank.
Police sources said that the late Sergeant Yusuf, with Force Number 504545, was deployed to Time Ceramic, an approved police beat, and had been assigned to escort the expatriate on a routine cash movement from Zenith Bank, Sapele Road branch.
“While returning from the bank with N5 million cash, their vehicle was attacked by four armed men who opened fire on the team, fatally wounding Sgt. Yusuf and making away with his AK-47 rifle (Breech No. BD 347851), 30 rounds of ammunition, and the cash,”said the sources.
The victim was rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Benin, where he was pronounced dead. His remains have been deposited at God’s Care Morgue.
Police authorities say efforts have been intensified to apprehend the fleeing assailants and recover the stolen firearm and funds.
End
Security operatives arrest bandit leader Abubakar Magaji, recover AK-47 rifle in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
A notorious bandit leader, Abubakar Magaji, has been arrested and an AK-47 rifle with 22 rounds of live ammunition recovered in Sokoto State following a successful intelligence-led operation in Silame Local Government Area.
Zagazola learnt that the suspect, a native of Julirko Village, was apprehended on July 13 by a special anti-kidnapping unit operating under Zone 10 Command, Sokoto.
During preliminary interrogation, Magaji confessed to being a member of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for several abductions and violent attacks around the Silame forest and its environs.
Acting on the information provided, security forces on July 16 launched a recovery mission deep into the Silame Forest, where they recovered one AK-47 rifle bearing breech number S-70170 and 22 rounds of live ammunition.
The suspect also revealed the identities of four other gang members who are currently at large, disclosing that each possesses an AK-47 rifle.
Security sources confirmed that a manhunt has been initiated to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover additional weapons.
Security operatives arrest bandit leader Abubakar Magaji, recover AK-47 rifle in Sokoto
FG Reaffirms Commitment to Uphold Rights of Inmates
Gov. Mutfwang visits scene of deadly attack in Plateau, assures justice for victims
Police sergeant shot dead in Edo escort ambush, AK-47 rifle and N5m carted away
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