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Marwa: 15 drug kingpins out of 3,412 offenders convicted in 2023 bagged 168 years in jail

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Marwa: 15 drug kingpins out of 3,412 offenders convicted in 2023 bagged 168 years in jail

Rewards 104 personnel, 13 Commands for outstanding performances

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has said that a total of 15 drug kingpins out of 3,412 offenders that were successfully prosecuted and convicted in 2023 bagged 168 years of imprisonment collectively.

Marwa disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing commanders, officers and men of the agency during an awards and commendations ceremony.

A total of 104 personnel and 13 commands were recognized and rewarded for their outstanding performances in the 2nd half of 2023

Marwa said: “Indeed, our performance as individuals and as a collective could always be better; nonetheless, we must appreciate every effort made to help sustain the momentum of our upward trajectory since January 2021, when we launched the renewed fight against illicit substance trafficking.”

Ho noted that: “According to our statistics, we recorded 13, 664 arrests leading to the seizure of 1, 606, 799.09 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs and 3,412 convictions with a total of 5, 570 offenders charged to court in 2023. It’s indeed a year that at least 15 drug kingpins bagged 168 years of imprisonment collectively. That is a substantial improvement over our performance in 2022. Notably, in 2023, we also ramped up our enforcement action against cannabis farms and carried out at least seven successful major operations, leading to the discovery and destruction of over 206 hectares of cannabis plantations.”

The NDLEA boss also explained that to create awareness about the dangers of substance abuse aimed at prevention and encourage those already in it to seek treatment, the Agency intensified its war against drug abuse (WADA) advocacy initiative nationwide.

“The frequency and intensity of our advocacy throughout the year improved considerably. Zonal and state commands have been very dedicated to propagating WADA advocacy. As a result, a total of 2,725 sensitisation lectures and programmes were held in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others. A breakdown of the WADA lectures held in 2023 shows: 807 in Primary/Secondary Schools; 146 in Tertiary Institutions; 488 for out of school children; 264 in worship centres; 140 in military/paramilitary organisations; 90 in other work places, among others. Just as well, our commands and formations have coped with the increased workload of counselling activities leading to the counselling and rehabilitation of 10, 904 drug users.”

He said those who have been in the agency longer than 2021 can attest to the fact that the past three years have brought different dynamics to the operations and performance of the agency, a development that has attracted commendations from home and abroad.

He added that: “This is further reinforced by the content of a letter two weeks ago from the National Assembly conveying the decision of the national parliament to ‘commend the efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against illicit drug consumption and trafficking.’

He said this recognition by both Chambers of the National Assembly should serve as a further morale booster and “a reminder that your efforts are not going unnoticed.”

“I must also say that the NDLEA management has no misgivings about instituting the Commands Awards and Commendations. This twice-a-year event, though a reward system, serves as an inward-looking glass for critical self-analysis and therefore a mechanism that puts the agency on its toes. Each time we gather here to honour exemplary officers and commands, we are making a loud statement that we value meritocracy and that hard work is a virtue we hold in high esteem. We are trying to normalise good performance”, he added.

He however assured that he will not relent in his effort to improve the welfare of the NDLEA workforce, stating that: “All the issues we are working on will soon come to fruition in a matter of time. For instance, we fought hard to have an amended NDLEA Act last year. Today, the bill is at the 10th National Assembly receiving due attention, and we are optimistic that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. I am also pleased to inform you that our barracks projects have recorded progress. Before the middle of the year, some of our barracks will be ready for commissioning.

These few examples of the efforts going on behind the scenes are evidence that we are working in your best interest.”

Marwa warned that the agency will be firm on disciplinary issues. “We don’t take infractions lightly. Every officer of NDLEA is expected to work within the ambit of our core values and strictly adhere to our standard operating procedure. We expect our officers to be the epitome of service, selflessness and sacrifice.”

He expressed appreciation to individuals and institutions that have contributed to the success of the agency. He said: “As an institution, we thank the European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, for being helpful partners on this journey. We appreciate the support of our other international partners from the US, UK, France, Germany, and India among others.

“We also appreciate sister agencies and security organisations, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Customs, Immigration, Police, DSS, NSCDC, NAFDAC, NYSC and FRSC, for the synergy that makes our job easy. Our profound gratitude also goes to the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Importantly, we thank His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his encouragement and immense support to NDLEA.”

Marwa: 15 drug kingpins out of 3,412 offenders convicted in 2023 bagged 168 years in jail

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River guard killed in Yobe, police begin investigation

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River guard killed in Yobe, police begin investigation

By: Zagazola Makama

A 40-year-old man, Musa Mohammed, has died after being allegedly attacked and thrown into a river by unknown assailants in Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Residents of Girim Village, Ya’u Gambo and Adamu Muhammad, told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 8:00 a.m. on Jan. 19, when the victim, who was employed to guard the village river, was confronted by some unidentified persons.

They said the attackers forcefully held Musa Mohammed, tied his hands and legs, and threw him into the river.

The sources added that about a month earlier, the deceased had a misunderstanding with five men from Dadigar Village in Bursari LGA, who allegedly warned him to stop guarding the river or face consequences.

Upon receiving the report, security operatives visited the scene and evacuated the victim from the river in an unconscious state.

“He was rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Gashua, where a medical doctor later confirmed him dead,” the sources said.

Photographs of the deceased were taken, and his remains were released to his relatives for burial according to Islamic rites.

Musa Mohammed was from Burburwa Village via Mayori in Yusufari Local Government Area of the state.

Investigation into the incident has commenced to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killing.

River guard killed in Yobe, police begin investigation

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At least 31 killed in Yatakala attack in Niger Republic

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At least 31 killed in Yatakala attack in Niger Republic

By: Zagazola Makama

No fewer than 31 persons have been killed following a deadly attack by suspected terrorists in Yatakala, Tillaberi Region of the Republic of Niger, near the tri-border area with Mali and Burkina Faso.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred on Jan. 18 in the Yatakala/Bolsi area of Tera Commune, where the assailants reportedly gathered residents together and opened fire on them.

The sources said that several other people, believed to be mostly women, were abducted during the attack, while five persons were injured as they tried to escape.

“They went from house to house, rounded people up and shot them. Those who managed to flee sustained injuries.

“Residents were rounded up and summarily executed, while an uncertain number mostly women, were abducted. At least 31 people were killed and five others injured as they fled,”one of the sources said.

The sources noted that Yatakala and surrounding villages toward the Burkinabe border had already been deserted by many inhabitants due to persistent attacks by armed groups.

No organisation had formally claimed responsibility for the latest atrocity, but the pattern and area of operation point strongly to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), the Al-Qaeda-linked group active across the Liptako-Gourma axis

The area had previously come under attack on Jan. 3, 2026, when Yatakala/Garoul was assaulted and about 17 soldiers were reportedly killed.

Zagazola report that the Tillaberi theatre is under sustained pressure. The enemy appears intent on clearing large swathes of territory, forcing communities to abandon their homes and creating humanitarian corridors of displacement that terrorists then exploit for further expansion.

The attacks also draws to the attention of the accelerating expansion of jihadist violence across the Sahel and its dangerous spillover implications for Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region.

The attack fits into a broader campaign by both Al-Qaeda- and ISIS-aligned factions to dominate borderlands, forest reserves and riverine routes, particularly around the W Park–Panjari complex, with a creeping approach toward Niamey.

The strategic objective was to degrade state presence, terrorise civilians into flight, and establish uncontested movement and recruitment zones.

Its draws parallels with past atrocities, including the January 2025 killings in Kasuwan Daji in Borgu area of Niger State, allegedly carried out by JNIM in collaboration with JAS/Ansaru networks, as well as recent mass abductions at worship centres in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru LGA, Kaduna State.

These are not isolated incidents. They form part of a synchronised regional campaign aimed at destabilisation, psychological dominance and narrative warfare.

Zagazola warned that beyond the kinetic dimension, insurgents were also leveraging disinformation, including the manipulation of religious and ethnic narratives, to internationalise their cause and weaken regional cohesion.

The humanitarian crisis generated by these attacks will push refugees and internally displaced persons toward north-west and north-central Nigeria, with attendant security, social and economic consequences.

Therefore, Nigeria’s response must go beyond internal counter-terrorism operations to include strengthened diplomatic and security cooperation with Niger, Benin and other frontline states.

Border challenges cannot be curbed unilaterally. There must be deeper intelligence sharing, coordinated patrols and joint operations. ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) must urgently re-engage on collective security mechanisms to contain this expanding threat,” he said.

Yatakala massacre was both a warning and a call to action.

If proactive regional measures are not taken, the Sahelian conflict arc will continue to bend southward, with Nigeria increasingly in the line of fire.

At least 31 killed in Yatakala attack in Niger Republic

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School renovation: You’ve renewed our hope, Students with disabilities tell Gombe Govt, NEDC

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School renovation: You’ve renewed our hope, Students with disabilities tell Gombe Govt, NEDC

Some students from the Special Education Centre in Gombe, have commended the Gombe State Government, and the North East Development Commission (NEDC), over ongoing renovation of their school.

The students told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe, that the move would boost access to education for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

A NAN correspondent who visited the school, reports that there was ongoing renovation of facilities.

A visually impaired student of the Senior Secondary three class (SS3), Husseini Abubakar, said that the renovation sends a strong message of inclusion to them.

According to him, the ongoing upgrade of the school has renewed their hope in education and a better Nigeria, as emphasised by President Bola Tinubu.

“I was suprised to hear that our school is being renovated after many years of neglect.

“We had lost hope of any intervention, but see what Gombe State government and NEDC are doing; we lack words to express how we feel.

“Today, I feel that our President, Bola Tinubu’s statement of “let’s renew the hope” is being fulfilled in our school because our hope has indeed been renewed,” he said.

Another visually impaired student, Mr Ahmad Umar, noted that they use to share classrooms with junior students during the rainy season, following dilapidated classrooms.

“Some days, we prayed against rainfall so that we will not be beaten by the rain, but thank God the suffering has now ended, and a better structure is here,” he said.

He said that now, he feels relieved.

Another student with hearing disability, Mr Basesa David, who spoke through an interpreter, said he was happy that the days of cold were over

He noted that the rehabilitation of toilets facilities and regular water supply, would improve hygiene and health condition in the school.

“We are grateful, especially the female students who usually suffer severe cold from exposure and poor toilets; thank you Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and the entire leadership of NEDC,” he said

NAN reports that the school, a specialised institution in the state, was established in 1996, to cater for children with disabilities.

The renovation project, is aimed at improving access to inclusive, equitable and quality education for PWDs, who are learners in the state and the North-East.

The centre currently has a population of 615 students

School renovation: You’ve renewed our hope, Students with disabilities tell Gombe Govt, NEDC

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