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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

Army Troops intercept cache of ammunition in commercial vehicle on Maiduguri–Kaduna road

Published

5 hours ago

August 20, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Army Troops intercept cache of ammunition in commercial vehicle on Maiduguri–Kaduna road

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have intercepted a large cache of ammunition hidden in a commercial vehicle along the Maiduguri–Kaduna road.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops deployed at a checkpoint in Nafada, en route to Gombe, discovered the consignment when the driver of the vehicle raised suspicion about a waybill package he was asked to transport.

Sources said that the driver was given a carefully wrapped bag in Maiduguri to deliver in Kaduna, along with the contact of the person who was to receive it.

The driver, who was unaware of the contents, became suspicious of the package and alerted soldiers at the checkpoint. Upon inspection, the troops discovered that the bag contained a large quantity of ammunition.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the consignment was linked to a soldier allegedly serving with Sector 2 in Damaturu, Yobe State. The sector has since been alerted to trace and arrest the suspect.

Security sources described the interception as a major breakthrough in efforts to cut the flow of arms fueling insecurity in the North-East and North-West.

“This is a disturbing development, particularly because of the alleged involvement of a personnel. The case is already under investigation to identify all those connected to it,” a source said.

The interception has once again brought into sharp focus the link between the arms trade and Nigeria’s insecurity. With the Maiduguri–Kaduna corridor serving as a major route, analysts warn that traffickers will continue to exploit unsuspecting drivers, commercial vehicles, and porous checkpoints unless stricter monitoring measures are enforced.

Army Troops intercept cache of ammunition in commercial vehicle on Maiduguri–Kaduna road

News

Irregular Migration: 7000 Nigerians Stranded in Libya, Says NIDCOM

Published

5 hours ago

August 20, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Irregular Migration: 7000 Nigerians Stranded in Libya, Says NIDCOM

By: Michael Mike

The Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa has disclosed that about 7000 Nigerian immigrants are stranded in Libya.

She made the disclosure at the official launch of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), strategic plan for Nigeria, 2025-2027, in Abuja.

Speaking on Tuesday evening, Dabiri-Etewa said: “As we speak 7000 Nigerians are stranded in Libya. At this time and age people still travel by road.”

IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Ms. Sharon Dimanche in her welcome address, stated that the IOM strategic plan for Nigeria was developed by Nigerians and owned by Nigerians.

She said: “We all sat together, led by the minister of humanitarian, budget and economic planning, at technical level, and went through our strategy. And why did we do that? Because for me, it was not about IOM.

“It was about you. That is why I came to this country, for us to sit and serve one another. So we reviewed our strategy, went into details, reflecting some of those priorities, and what we have here is a reflection of your own ideas, what you proposed, and led by your technical people that we sat together.”

She added that: “This is not just an IOM strategy for Nigeria, it is Nigeria’s strategy supported by IOM, developed through inclusive consultations and shaped by national priorities.”

She also used the opportunity to call on the federal government and all other stakeholders to support the full implementation of the strategic plan.

She said: “We are not just launching the strategy to leave it there, but I’m counting on each and every one of you to implement that strategy together, so that when we sit down three years, five years from now, we can hold each other’s accountable.

“We want to see that difference. And I’m counting on you for your support to make that difference.”

The Deputy Director IOM, Ugochi Daniels, in her goodwill message said, “I’m sure with this team and with the rest of the United Nation team here and the partnership with the government the road might be steep but we will get there.

“What I want to add to that is that the strategy that we are launching today is how we as IOM are translating in concrete terms our commitment in achieving the vision the national development aspirations of the federal government of Nigeria in partnership with all of you represented here and the organizations and states and at the federal level that you represent.”

She assured that, “it is my firm and concrete belief that when we gather again at the end of the strategy we will be able to celebrate not just the achievements from the strategy but the achievements of all of the states that are supported and the achievements of the federal government of Nigeria and the contribution IOM has had to make to this.”

The Minister of state Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, representatives of Borno, Yobe, Abia, Bauchi and others pleged to support the implementation of the IOM strategic plan

Irregular Migration: 7000 Nigerians Stranded in Libya, Says NIDCOM

News

Nigeria, IOM Seek Greater Collaboration Against Irregular Migration

Published

20 hours ago

August 20, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigeria, IOM Seek Greater Collaboration Against Irregular Migration

By: Michael Mike

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has said Nigeria is poised to forge better collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in tackling migration crisis,

This is as she attributed the spate of illegal migration of Nigerians to the country’s huge demography explaining that over 70 per cent of the nation’s population was under 40 and they needed employment.

The Minister expressed the willingness of the federal government when the Deputy Director-General (Operations) for the International Organisation for Migration, Ms. Ugochi Florence Daniels, paid her a courtesy visit in her office in Abuja.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that Diaspora is one of the major planks of the President Bola Tinubu’s foreign policy approach comprising Democracy, Demography, Diaspora and Development, otherwise christened 4-Ds.

She highlighted the government’s focus on citizen diplomacy following its concern about the welfare of the over 17 million Nigerians in the diaspora, noting that Nigeria’s very vibrant diaspora plays very important role in the nation’s economy by driving development.

The minister while highlighting the contributions of millions of Nigerian migrants in diaspora, equally emphasised the need for IOM to promote positive narratives on migration, stating that the country has sustained campaign to dispel the myth about greener pastures which according to her was the driver of irregular migration.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, therefore, acknowledged the longstanding cooperation between Nigeria and IOM in addressing concerns relating to vulnerable migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

She applauded IOM’s strategic direction to save lives and protect people on the move, drive solutions to displacement and facilitate pathways for regular migration.

The minister further acknowledged the recent assistance by IOM in responding to the severe displacement due to flooding in some parts of the country especially Niger State where it deployed a rapid response team to support data collection, conduct initial damage assessment and provide emergency shelter kits and non-food items packages to support up 1000 most vulnerable families.

In view of the financial challenges currently facing the Organisation, the minister highlighted the need to initiate and execute programmes that address existential needs of persons of concern to IOM, in line with national priorities.

Disclosing that the government was taking necessary measures to fulfil its financial obligation to IOM, she urged the Organisation to ensure harmonisation of activities with Ministries, Departments and Agencies and other International Organisations. She, then, urged that the body leverages its global status to engender novel financial partnership from non-traditional donors.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu further said that as part of the UN80 Reform Initiative, Nigeria was willing to host International Organisations/UN Operations that are relocating from Geneva or New York.

Currently, IOM Nigeria is implementing a programme titled: “Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria” (PBMM), funded by the European Union to assist Government in the areas of Managing Irregular Migration through Immigration and Border Management, Migration Data, Policy and Labour Migration and Diaspora Mobilisation.

Earlier, the Deputy Director General of IOM, Ugochi Florence Daniels reassured the Organisation’s commitment to the government and people of Nigeria.

She said that Nigeria was number one in returns as no fewer than 70,000 irregular migrants had been returned to the country by the IOM while about 27,000 were reintegrated in the society through its Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme (AVRR).

Daniels said the Organisation was dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for all migrants and accelerating the transformative initiatives to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the Africa Union’s Agenda 2063.

“We have a very comprehensive intervention in Nigeria. We count on your continued support for the work of IOM in Nigeria,” she said.

Nigeria, IOM Seek Greater Collaboration Against Irregular Migration