News

Insecurity: Go all out for drug barons, cartels, Marwa charges NDLEA commanders

Published

2 years ago

February 8, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Insecurity: Go all out for drug barons, cartels, Marwa charges NDLEA commanders

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has declared all round war against drug barons, instructing all commanders of the agency at different level to go all out and smoke out those still in hiding.

He as well ordered for the dismantling of all drug cartels as part of ongoing efforts to totally cut off drug supply which he insisted would drastically reduced growing insecurity and criminalities in the country.

Marwa gave the charge in his meeting with directors and all commanding officers of the agency at the national headquarters of the NDLEA in Abuja, where he commended them for the unprecedented successes achieved so far and tasked them not to rest on their oars.

He said no effort must be spared to remove illicit drug equation from the security challenges facing the country.

According to him, “Within the limit of our resources, we have been able to push boundaries. The statistics of our operations, empirical facts from the field, the general anti-illicit drug climate we have built and the rapport between us and our domestic and international partners, all speak volumes about how we are faring, especially against the backdrop of where we are coming from, of what the situation used to be a few years ago.
“Commendations apart, we also cannot afford not to tell ourselves the plain truth; we still have a long way to go. Hence commanders, officers and men of NDLEA can’t afford to rest on their oars.

“Yes, we have kept the flag of performance flying, but there’s still room for improvement. There is still much to do. And we cannot afford to be complacent now as we have committed to a lot of ongoing efforts to improve our operational capabilities. We are constantly engaging stakeholders within and outside the country to support and help optimise our capabilities. So, if anything, our performance should justify these ongoing efforts. We need to remind ourselves that to achieve our mandate, professionalism and discipline must be maintained at all times and in all our operations.

“We’re working with relevant authorities for improved funding so that we can comprehensively and holistically play our role as part and parcel of the solution to the security challenges facing the nation because if we are able to totally cut the access to and availability of drugs to the criminals, we would have effectively tampered with their nefarious activities and so we’re going to plead for enhanced funding to do more things in support of the fight against insecurity and I trust that the President will give us a listening ear because he’s interested in the progress of the NDLEA.

“This year, we want to raise the bar of our performance and this calls for commanders who are up to the task to be up and doing on the job. We must clean our streets and communities of illicit substances. We all are witnesses to the upsurge in the cases of kidnapping and such vices, this means NDLEA must remain upstanding. For those who have been watching and listening, recently, there is another demand by kidnappers and bandits aside money, which is drugs. In that sense, it means NDLEA is working because they don’t ask for it before, meaning that they’re no longer as available as they used to be and the prices of those available have gone beyond their reach.”

He charged the commanders to always ensure that the corporate integrity of the agency is always protected in all they do. He said: “Therefore, every command must shun any act capable of bringing into disrepute the hard-earned reputation of NDLEA. Where inappropriate actions occur, the management certainly will not overlook it. There will be penalties, just as there are rewards for good conduct, hard work and results. Now, the onus is on every commander to ensure the protection of our corporate integrity.”

While assuring that he remains committed to staff welfare including conducive work environment, allowances, remuneration and entitlements, and the basic welfare package, he asked the commanders to replicate such in their various commands.

He however warned that Commanders will have to justify their retention in Command positions with their performance.
“We have applied meritocracy to the rank and file; it is also fair to apply the same standard to the leadership. The implication for commanders is that your retention in command positions will henceforth be measured by your performance, which will be reviewed every quarter. In the new NDLEA, there is no room for laggards, and there are no excuses for laxity. Where there is a clear deficit of leadership, at zonal, state or area command, the agency will not hesitate to review and make a change of leadership, if necessary. This year, we want to raise the bar of our performance and that calls for having commanders who are up to the task.

“Our jobs are clearly defined: We must clean our streets and communities of illicit substances. Therefore, go and perform and let’s see greater results in the weeks ahead. And I assure you that at any time, you need backup, we are here to provide the necessary reinforcement. On this note, I want to implore commanders to let us keep our eyes on the ball. Let’s be prepared to work hard in 2024 and achieve unprecedented goals.”

Insecurity: Go all out for drug barons, cartels, Marwa charges NDLEA commanders

News

Four police officers injured in patrol vehicle crash on Yelwata–Makurdi road

Published

5 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Four police officers injured in patrol vehicle crash on Yelwata–Makurdi road

By: Zagazola Makama

Four personnel of the 18 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Squadron were injured on Friday when their patrol vehicle was involved in a lone accident along the Yelwata–Makurdi road in Benue State.

Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 9:10 a.m. when the officers, on routine patrol of the axis, were travelling in an official Toyota Hilux driven by Cpl. Augustine Garba. The vehicle reportedly lost control and somersaulted into the bush.

Sources said that the DPO Yelwata mobilised tactical teams to the scene. The injured officers were evacuated and rushed to the Police Clinic in Makurdi for urgent medical attention,” the source said.

Three of the injured personnel were treated and discharged, while one officer remains hospitalised.

Police authorities confirmed that the remaining officer is in stable condition.

The sources said that the Benue Police Command has commenced internal review procedures to determine the cause of the crash and ensure adherence to patrol safety protocols.

Four police officers injured in patrol vehicle crash on Yelwata–Makurdi road

News

Police arrest notorious bandit linked to killings of officers in Benue, Nasarawa

Published

5 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Police arrest notorious bandit linked to killings of officers in Benue, Nasarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

Police operatives in Benue have arrested a suspected notorious armed bandit believed to be responsible for multiple attacks on security personnel in the state.

Zagazola gathered that the suspect, identified as Yongu Justine Makwagh of Kadarko in Nasarawa State, was arrested on Friday at about 8:00 p.m. at Balcony Park in Makurdi following months of sustained surveillance.

It was gathered that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Daudu led the operation after acting on credible intelligence, with reinforcement from operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) on special duty.

Sources said Makwagh has been on the command’s wanted list due to his alleged involvement in several deadly attacks in the Sankera axis.

“The suspect was earlier linked to the killing of two Safer Highway Police personnel at Yelwata and two operatives of the Department of Operations (DOPS) in Daudu, during which firearms were carted away,” the source said.

The arrest is considered a major breakthrough for the command, which has intensified efforts to dismantle bandit networks operating across Benue and neighbouring states.

Police authorities said the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation, while further investigations are ongoing to recover additional arms and track his accomplices.

Police arrest notorious bandit linked to killings of officers in Benue, Nasarawa

News

“We are behind you,” Zulum addresses armed forces in Damboa

Published

5 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

“We are behind you,” Zulum addresses armed forces in Damboa

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Saturday, addressed troops of 25 Task Force Brigade of Nigerian Army, declaring the state’s and its people’s support for their relentless fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents.

The governor, speaking at a front-line military base in Damboa, sympathised deeply with the officers and soldiers, acknowledging the immense personal sacrifice and hard work they put in daily. He commended what he described as their “giant effort and supreme sacrifice” in the ongoing battle to secure Borno State and protect civilians from the threats of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Zulum stated, “On behalf of the government and good people of Borno State. We are here in Damboa purposely to commiserate with you over the recent setback which claimed the lives of some of your colleagues.

It is an unfortunate event, and I want to extend my condolences to you and the families of all the officers and men of this brigade who lost their lives while discharging their duties. We pray to Almighty Allah to heal those injured in action as soon as possible.

For those of you who are still alive and healthy, we pray that God will protect you, give you the vision and strength to carry out your duties effectively. You have been doing very well. We have acknowledged your support and would like to commend you.

I want to once again sympathise with you on behalf of the government and good people of Borno State, and to assure you that we will do everything possible within the resources available to us to support your mission and vision to end the crisis.”

The governor was received by the Brigade Commander of 25 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Igwe Patrick Omokeh.

The visit was part of Zulum’s tour of communities in southern Borno. Earlier in the day, the governor met with grieving families in Chibok, where he commiserated with them over the loss of lives and property, offering condolences and immediate relief to those that
lost properties.

During the Chibok meeting, the governor announced concrete measures to protect lives and property. He noted that the state government, in collaboration with the federal government and security agencies, is implementing enhanced measures to protect vulnerable communities against future attacks.

“We are here to offer our condolences over what happened these past days in Chibok general area, especially to those who lost their lives. The situation is painful. We are here to show our sorrow over what happened.

Death comes at its appointed time. We offer you our condolences and assure you that, God willing, the issue of insecurity in Chibok will be resolved. We will provide a permanent solution and put an end to it.

We will take action. Please be patient. Our thoughts are with you, and one thing that made me happy is how you have remained calm and stayed in your communities despite everything,” Zulum said. The governor announced financial assistance of N1 million to the bereaved families and N500,000 to those whose properties were destroyed during the recent unfortunate attacks.

“We are behind you,” Zulum addresses armed forces in Damboa