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FG to Partner Stakeholders on Environmental Sustainability
FG to Partner Stakeholders on Environmental Sustainability
…IEPN President Commits to Protection of Nigerian Environment
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has expressed it’s determination to partner with the stakeholders in the environmental sector especially the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN) on environmental sustainability.
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal expressed this at the inauguration ceremony of the 1st Governing Council of IEPN in Abuja.
Lawal, who was represented by Dr Olubunmi Olusanya, Director Pollution Control and Environmental Health in the ministry assured that they would unlock all the potentials in the environment sector and regulate environmental professionalism.
He said: “This institute is going to ensure we have professionalism in the system. For us in the Federal Ministry of Environment, we are very particular about the quality of professionals that are managing our environmental issues; therefore we are going to collaborate with the institute to ensure that we conserve our environment for sustainability and also unlock all the potentials that are in the circular economy in Nigeria. Also from Environmental management we can begin to maximise the profit there; there is a lot of profit in environmental management if properly done, so through this institute I think we are going to achieve that.”
Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye President and Chairman of Governing Council of IEPN noted that the institute was saddled with the responsibility of regulating the activities of its members in the protection of the Nigerian environment.
Ezemonye, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, said he will protect the environment by regulating the activities of its members to provide good governance, stewardship and environmental justice.
He noted that: “The primary mandate of the council is to join hands to protect the Nigerian environment, and we will do this by regulating the activities of our members to provide good governance, stewardship and environmental justice and when we do this in accordance to the proper best practices and ethics, you can be rest assured that the Nigerian environment will be protected.
“We understand today that the symbiotic relationship between man and the environment seems to have collapsed; because everyday the environment is presented with different environmental challenges, not only affecting the matrices of land, water and air, but it also affecting man and that is the current predicament that the Nigerian environment is currently experiencing; so the emergence of this Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria is to bring sanity and sanctity in the practice of environmental protection, conservation, remediation and restoration to the Nigeria environment; that is our sole mandate and that is what we have resolved to do.”
He added that: “Today marks the beginning of a new era in Environmental Governance and Ecosystem Management in Nigeria. It was not an easy task going through the process of signing the IEPN establishment Act into Law.
“Nothing signposts man’s apparent failure to protect Mother Nature than our apathy in combating climate change challenges.
“As a matter of fact, the symbiotic relationship between man and the environment seem to have collapsed. Every passing day presents daunting environmental challenges interfering with ecosystem matrices such as water, air, land and man,” he said.
The president reassured that it behooves on all, to ensure the sustainability of the Nigerian environment saying that the primary mandate of the council is to protect the environment by regulating the activities of environment users in order to proffer environmental justice.
He commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for signing the IEPN Act into Law.
The members of the governing council of IEPN includes, President of the Institute- Lawrence Ezemonye, VIce President – Chukwukeluo Chukwuogo, Registrar – Yakubu Waziri, Treasurer – Paul Akporowho, Legal Adviser – Ifunaya Charity, amongst others.
FG to Partner Stakeholders on Environmental Sustainability
NDLEA Insists Drug Case Against Abba Kyari Continues Despite Court Discharge
By: Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reaffirmed that its substantive drug trafficking case against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, remains firmly on track, clarifying that recent court proceedings discharging him on a separate matter do not affect the ongoing trial.
The agency said the core drug case is scheduled to continue before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, March 16, 2026.
NDLEA’s clarification follows the decision of Justice James Omotosho, who discharged Kyari in a 23-count charge relating to alleged money laundering and non-declaration of assets. The anti-narcotics agency stressed that the ruling pertains to a different case and should not be confused with the main drug prosecution.
Reacting to inquiries on whether the agency would challenge the ruling, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that the prosecution team has been directed to obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment before determining the next legal step.
He emphasized that the matter decided by Justice Omotosho is distinct from the substantive drug charges pending before Justice Nwite, noting that the latter remains active and unaffected.
The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Thursday, said: “First, I need to clarify that the ruling by Justice Omotosho is completely different from the main and substantive drug case which continues before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, March 16, 2026. That one is very much on course.”
He added that the prosecution team would review the detailed judgment upon receipt of the CTC to guide the agency’s management in deciding whether an appeal is warranted.
The development underscores the complex legal battles facing the suspended senior police officer, as the NDLEA maintains its resolve to pursue the substantive drug allegations to their conclusion in court.
NDLEA Insists Drug Case Against Abba Kyari Continues Despite Court Discharge
Security operatives arrest suspected fuel suppliers to bandits in Gombe
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Gombe State have arrested two suspected fuel suppliers believed to be providing logistics support to bandits operating in neighbouring communities in Bauchi State.
Security sources said the suspects were arrested on March 4 at about 4:30 a.m. during a stop-and-search operation along the Kashere–Futuk Road in Akko Local Government Area of the state.
The sources said the operation followed intelligence reports indicating that bandits terrorising parts of Bauchi State were sourcing fuel supplies from Kashere in Gombe State.
During the operation, operatives intercepted a red tinted Golf 3 vehicle with registration number GME 221 XA, loaded with 29 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The vehicle was driven by one Aliyu Usman, 20, of Futuk Village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, who reportedly fled the scene and escaped.
Two passengers in the vehicle, identified as Bello Abdullahi, 52, and Sulaiman Musa, 40, both from Futuk Village in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State, were arrested at the scene.
The suspects claimed that the fuel was purchased in Billiri, Gombe State.
The police impounded the vehicle along with the 29 jerrycans of fuel as exhibits while investigations are ongoing to determine their involvement in supplying fuel to criminal elements.
Efforts are also underway to apprehend the fleeing driver and uncover other members of the suspected supply network.
Security operatives arrest suspected fuel suppliers to bandits in Gombe
Troops of 3 Division liberate Mansur Village, Alkaleri LGA in Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Division Nigerian Army have successfully liberated Mansur Village and surrounding settlements in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State as part of the ongoing Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III.
The operation, led by Major General Folusho Oyinlola, General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation ENDURING PEACE, targeted armed terrorists and criminal elements terrorising the local communities.
According to military sources, troops executed a coordinated offensive on identified flashpoints, dislodging terrorists who had attempted to seize control of Mansur Village. An AK-47 rifle was recovered during clearance operations, degrading the operational capacity of the insurgents.
Following the offensive, troops consolidated their positions and conducted patrols across Alkaleri LGA to maintain security and restore normalcy. Residents have reportedly begun resuming socio-economic activities in the area.
Military intelligence indicates that cross-border terrorist gangs operate within Plateau, Bauchi, and Taraba States, exploiting local terrains and engaging in fluid movement patterns to evade security forces.
The insurgents are reported to include high-value targets such as Mallam Lehi, Mai-Kunkuru, and Mallam Azuge, who operate in the Wase/Kanam forests and Jejin Madam axis.
The General Officer Commanding urged troops to maintain vigilance, stressing the importance of denying terrorists freedom of action while ensuring civilian protection.
Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III is part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing efforts to dominate insurgent corridors and restore peace and security in North East and North Central Nigeria.
Troops of 3 Division liberate Mansur Village, Alkaleri LGA in Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III
NDLEA Insists Drug Case Against Abba Kyari Continues Despite Court Discharge
Security operatives arrest suspected fuel suppliers to bandits in Gombe
Troops of 3 Division liberate Mansur Village, Alkaleri LGA in Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III
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