Nigeria Commiserates with Ghana Over Death of Two Cabinet Ministers, Top Government Officials in Helicopter Crash

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has extended its deepest condolences to the Government and people of the Republic of Ghana, following the unfortunate tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two Ghanaian Ministers, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah (Defence), Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed (Environment), along with other officials en route to Obuasi on Wednesday.

A statement by the spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa read that: “This devastating incident has not only robbed Ghana of distinguished public servants but has also left a profound void in the West African region. Dr. Boamah and Hon. Muhammed were dedicated leaders who served their nation with unwavering commitment, and their contributions to regional security and environmental sustainability will be deeply missed.

“Nigeria stands in solidarity with Ghana during this period of immense grief. We share in the sorrow of our brothers and sisters in Ghana and offer our prayers for the peaceful repose of the departed souls.

“Our thoughts are also with the families of the deceased, as well as the entire Ghanaian government.

“As neighbours and partners in progress, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two nations, even in moments of profound loss.

“May the Almighty grant Ghana the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

Nigeria Commiserates with Ghana Over Death of Two Cabinet Ministers, Top Government Officials in Helicopter Crash

NDLEA, India’s NCB join efforts to end illicit shipments of tramadol, others to Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India have agreed to intensify their efforts in the fight against shipment of illicit drugs between the two countries especially the illegal flow of opioids such as tramadol and codeine-based syrup to Nigeria from the South Asian country.

This was part of agreements reached during a virtual meeting between the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) and the Director General of NCB, Mr. Anurag Garg along with top officials of the two anti-narcotics agencies on Wednesday

In his remarks at the meeting, Marwa noted the threat posed to public health and security by illicit drugs in both Nigeria and India, while emphasizing the need to strengthen the existing partnership between NDLEA and NCB based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two agencies in 2023.

He said: “The main reason why I requested for this engagement is the illicit importation of tramadol and codeine cough syrup into Nigeria from India. This is a point that I raised the day we signed the MoU. Now, in the last 18 months, that’s from January 2024 to June this year, we have seized over one billion pills of opioids mainly tramadol and more than 14.4 million bottles of codeine syrup. This is why we need the support and collaboration of the Narcotics Control Bureau of India to work with us on this.”

The NDLEA boss also asked the NCB to assist NDLEA in specialized trainings, stating that: “The other point from me, is seeking your assistance on capacity building and training. We have had training in the past from India on drugs and investigation, training for analysts, financial investigation, cyber training, the dark web and so on. We will very much appreciate sharing from your experiences and knowledge and your support on training for our officers.”

In his response, the NCB boss Anurag Garg said it is essential for the two agencies to strengthen the existing partnership because the drug problem cuts across international borders, while he assured of their readiness to share knowledge, intelligence and experience with NDLEA on a number of areas of interest.

According to him, “we all know that there are transnational syndicates involved in the illicit drug shipments into Nigeria but we’re ready to work with you on this. Unless we come together, we cannot end this malady because we’re dealing with transnational drug syndicates, they have no respect for borders, national laws. So, the only method as of now is to collaborate, and it is a good opportunity, I mean, this meeting, we can take this initiative forward.

“On the issue of capacity building, we will be happy to offer you training. We have a training centre where we will be happy to host you for any training. I mean, as per your need, we can have a curated training programme through which we will be very happy to share whatever we know on the subject of clandestine labs or precursors or darknet monitoring or investigating darknet vendors and so on and so forth.”

NDLEA, India’s NCB join efforts to end illicit shipments of tramadol, others to Nigeria

Silent jubilation in Kwara, Niger communities over speculated DSS capture of Mahmuda terror leader

By: Zagazola Makama

There is a wave of cautious celebration in some border communities of Kwara and Niger States following speculations surrounding the sudden disappearance – and possible capture – of Abubakar Abba Mahmuda, the feared leader of the Mahmuda terror group.

Zagazola Makama report that though no official statement has been released, residents in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara and parts of Borgu in Niger are gripped by growing belief that the Department of State Services (DSS) may have captured the notorious terrorist commander in a covert operation over the weekend.

The Mahmuda group, a violent breakaway faction of Boko Haram, has for over five years launched repeated attacks on farming communities in the Kainji Lake axis, displacing villagers, levying communities, and terrorising border settlements across Nigeria’s northwest.

However, the absence of Mahmuda’s voice often sent in Hausa audio messages demanding protection levies or issuing threats has sparked renewed hope among locals.

A village elder in Baruten, who spoke under anonymity, said the mood in his community has been quietly jubilant since Saturday.

“We have not heard Mahmuda’s voice, and none of his men knows his whereabouts,” he said. “The rumour is that DSS tracked him to one of his spiritualists and captured him alive. If this is true, then it is a big victory for all of us.”

According to him, the villagers strongly believe only the DSS could have executed such a high-level operation with precision and silence.

“Muna matukar farin ciki da DSS akan wannan falala da suka yi cikin sirri,” he said in Hausa, which loosely translates to: “We are very happy with what the DSS has done for us, and with such secrecy. These terrorists have been a source of severe headache for us.”

He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for allegedly responding to their long-standing cries for intervention.

Also speaking, the leader of a cattle market in the area expressed relief, saying his community had been under constant threat and economic hardship due to Mahmuda’s activities.

“Muna godiya ga Allah da wannan babban nasara,” he said. “We thank God for this great victory. We were living in fear, and now we can breathe. Thanks to the President and those carrying out these secret operations.”

Mahmuda, 33, is originally from Daura in Katsina State. Independent security sources told Zagazola that he once made a living selling Islamic tapes and recordings of radical clerics, including Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf.

He reportedly joined Boko Haram in its early years but later switched to Ansaru, before forming the Mahmuda faction around the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) region, a forested area of over 5,300 square kilometres – larger than Anambra State.

It is believe the group built alliances with terrorist cells in Mali and Niger Republic, drawing logistical and ideological support from regional jihadist networks.

In recent months, Mahmuda’s fighters had grown bolder, storming villages in broad daylight, collecting levies, and sacking entire communities. His audio threats had become a source of dread across the border communities.

A security source familiar with recent operations confirmed to Zagazola that the DSS had been quietly executing intelligence-led missions targeting high-profile terrorist leaders.

“Though details of Mahmuda’s disappearance remain sketchy, what’s not in doubt is that DSS operations in the North have become more surgical and efficient under the current leadership,” the source said.

As of Wednesday, security personnel across Kwara and Niger States remained on high alert, even as community leaders urged continued vigilance amid hopes that the group may fracture in the absence of its central command figure.

While the DSS has neither confirmed nor denied the reports, the atmosphere in Baruten and parts of Niger points to a rare moment of cautious optimism – the kind that only comes when a long-feared enemy seemingly vanishes without a trace.

Silent jubilation in Kwara, Niger communities over speculated DSS capture of Mahmuda terror leader