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Marwa Explains Why Assets of Barons, Traffickers Are Targeted in Ongoing Drug War
Marwa Explains Why Assets of Barons, Traffickers Are Targeted in Ongoing Drug War
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has justified the decision of the anti-narcotics body to go after the assets of drug barons and traffickers as part of ongoing offensive action against illicit drugs.
Marwa, explained the reason the action to go after assets of drug barons was taken at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday to kick off a week-long activities to celebrate the 2024 International Day Against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking, which NDLEA organized in conjunction with other stakeholders like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Marwa said: “Permit me to share with you that our offensive action against drug cartels and traffickers, launched in January 2021, has to date continued to yield the desired result with the arrests and prosecutions of several barons. As you are all aware, two serial traffickers got life imprisonment in court in April. Our prosecution efforts have continued to achieve successes in courts given the painstaking investigations and diligence in the prosecution of cases. Our water tight case preparations are unassailable. This has been further strengthened with our forfeiture regime with the passage of Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA 2022).
“Apart from conviction, the assets of the convicts used as instrumentality of the crime or the proceeds derived from the crime would be forfeited to the federal government. Indeed, a civil action in rem could be maintained against assets reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime in which case the burden of proving the licit origin of the asset would be on the defendant who claims ownership of the asset. This diligent and painstaking preparation of investigations and prosecutions explains the success of the high conviction rate.”
Marwa who was represented by the agency secretary, Mr. Shadrach Haruna on the drug demand reduction efforts of the NDLEA, said the flagship programme, war against drug abuse (WADA) built on ‘the whole of society approach’ to preventive action against drug abuse has been a tremendous success as an effective tool of advocacy for social action and an awareness-driven vehicle for public engagement and collaboration against illicit trafficking and abuse, which he said aligns with the theme for the 2024 world drug day, WDD.
He explained that the world drug day, observed on June 26 every year, “is an important day for the global community, and an occasion during which current efforts against illicit drug problems are given policy direction for the next 12 months.”
He added that the theme for this year: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”, emphasises the importance of preventing people from falling into the danger of experimenting with illicit drugs and subsequently falling into the trap of dependence on psychoactive substances.
He noted that: “Prevention is an important aspect of the effort to curb the menace of abuse of illicit drugs in society. At NDLEA, prevention, as ably anchored in our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), social advocacy programme is a priority area for us. Within our modest means and with the support of the Federal Government and our various stakeholders, we have invested in prevention by various means over the past three years as part of the reforms being undertaken in the agency.”
He gave the breakdown of the weeklong activities to include: Juma’at Service at the National Mosque in Abuja on Friday, Walk Against Drugs in collaboration with MTN and other stakeholders on Saturday, Thanksgiving Church Service at the National Christian Centre on Sunday, among others.
He expressed gratitude to the federal and state governments for the support given to the agency in various ways in the onslaught against drug traffickers.
He said: “The UNODC has been a strong support for us as well as our foreign partners, including the US-Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the British Border Force, National Crime Agency (NCA) of United Kingdom, as well as our stakeholders like Nigerian Armed Forces, the Customs, Police, Immigration, NAFDAC, NFIU, NACA, FRSC and Civil Defence, among others. And importantly, our media friends. That you are here today is a testament to the support you have given to us these past three years. I cannot help but thank you and the media you represent.”
In his remarks, UNODC Country Deputy Representative, Mr. Danilo Campisi on his part, called on government at all levels and other stakeholders in Nigeria to invest in drug use preventive measures to avoid a 40% rise in the population of drug users in the country especially the youth population.
According to him, “projections show that by 2030, there will be a 40% increase in the use of drugs in Africa, based on the population of young people. This is extremely concerning, if we consider that 2030 is only six years away.
He said: “We are all familiar with the saying: “prevention is better than cure” and considering the data and projections, it has become even more critical for Nigeria to invest heavily in drug use preventive measures. I do not think it would be an exaggeration to describe this as a national emergency. If the country is to take on the challenge of this projected increase in drug use, it is imperative that it adopts scientific evidence-based approaches that prioritise prevention and treatment.”
He said UNODC has worked with the “Government of Nigeria to adapt and implement evidence-based prevention measures which include the highly successful UNPLUGGED, a school-based Drug Prevention Programme implemented together with the Federal Ministry of Education, in 110 Unity Schools and in a few states in the country, notably Kebbi, Bayelsa and recently, Kaduna, on the initiative of the State Governments in these States.”
Marwa Explains Why Assets of Barons, Traffickers Are Targeted in Ongoing Drug War
PAP Scholarship Scheme Vehicle For Better Future For Niger Delta- Otuaro
By: Michael Mike
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has described the programme’s scholarship scheme as a major vehicle towards ensuring a better future for the Niger Delta.
He spoke at the opening ceremony for the fifth batch of the two-day “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation Training for PAP Stakeholders” organised by the Office in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) at the Nigerian Army War College, Abuja, on Thursday.
Otuaro, who declared the workshop open, said that the decision for the massive deployment of scholarship students to universities within and outside Nigeria is informed by the need to utilise formal education to build a sure future for the communities in the region.
According to him, his leadership’s focus on education is aimed at investing in the youths as a deliberate effort to equip them to be drivers of the planned prosperity, peace, stability and development of the Niger Delta in the years ahead.
He said, “We have seriously focused on education, and the scholarship programme is a proper vehicle for a better tomorrow for our region. So far, between 2024 and 2025, we have deployed over 9000 scholarship students to universities within and outside Nigeria; in-country deployment alone this year is 4500.
“These are deliberate efforts we are taking to prepare our region for tomorrow. We need to prepare the next generation for the challenges of peace, socio-economic growth, development, and security.
“If we don’t equip our youths today with education, tomorrow would not be assured. It is time to prepare for the rainy day, that is why we are deliberately investing in the education of our young ones.
“I believe that the scholarship beneficiaries will appreciate this opportunity that we are giving to them. For nearly two years, we have tried as much as possible to impact nearly all communities through the scholarship programme.”
Otuaro explained that the capacity-building workshop was organised to consolidate the PAP’s peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He told the participants that they have a great role to play in the task of deepening the peacebuilding process because they are stakeholders and leaders in their own right.
The PAP helmsman said the time had come for stakeholders to unite strongly and come together to resolve issues in the region without the involvement of outsiders.
He urged the participants to be role models for stability and peace ambassadors of President Tinubu in the Niger Delta.
He also stressed that peacebuilding should be their watchword going forward.
Otuaro expressed appreciation to Tinubu for his steadfast support for the PAP, saying that the president is pleased with the existing peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
He applauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his encouragement and strategic supervision of the PAP.
He further extended gratitude the management of the Nigerian Army War College, resource persons, and the leadership and membership of the AANDEC for partnering with the PAP to deepen the peacebuilding process in the region.
PAP Scholarship Scheme Vehicle For Better Future For Niger Delta- Otuaro
Police arrest three kidnappers, recover 54 AK-47 ammunition in Kwara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers and recovered 54 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition during a patrol operation in Bani area of the state.
Sources said the arrest was made at about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday following intelligence-led patrol by local vigilantes.
According to sources, the Vigilante Commander in Bani, Taiye Abubakar, and his team were on patrol within the Bani axis when they sighted two men riding on a Bajaj motorcycle.
The suspects were identified as Gero Mahamadu of Komi Marshallashi via Bani and Lawale Falike of Sambo Ginda via Jebba.
The sources stated that while efforts were made to stop them, Lawale Falike initially fled the scene, but Gero Mahamadu was arrested. A search conducted on him led to the recovery of 54 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition.
The sources added that during interrogation, Gero Mahamadu confessed that the ammunition was supplied by one Alhaji Shahu Fire and one Ismail Mashamari, both of Sambo Ginda via Jebba, and was to be delivered to one Manu of Ilesha Baruba for a planned kidnapping operation.
Subsequently, Lawale Falike and Alhaji Shahu Fire were arrested, while the suspects reportedly made useful confessional statements.
The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects, including Manu and Ismail Mashamari, and to recover any additional arms or ammunition connected to the planned crime.
Police arrest three kidnappers, recover 54 AK-47 ammunition in Kwara
Assistant Commissioner of Police dies during duty in Ebonyi
By: Zagazola Makama
A senior police officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ogbon-Inu Taiwo Popoola, has died while in service at the Ebonyi State Police Command.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday during a management meeting at the Commissioner of Police’s office in Abakaliki.
According to the sources, ACP Popoola, who was the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID), suddenly developed breathing difficulty and began gasping for breath during the meeting.
He was immediately rushed to the Police Medical Centre at the Police Headquarters, Abakaliki, where he was promptly attended to by the command’s medical personnel.
Despite efforts to resuscitate him, the officer was confirmed dead by medical doctors.
The sources said preliminary medical findings indicated that the death was due to cardiac arrest, secondary to hypertensive heart disease.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA 1) mortuary in Abakaliki.
The police described the late ACP Popoola as a dedicated officer who served the Force with commitment and professionalism.
May his soul rest in peace
Assistant Commissioner of Police dies during duty in Ebonyi
PAP Scholarship Scheme Vehicle For Better Future For Niger Delta- Otuaro
Sterling Strengthens Media Capacity on Sustainability Reporting
Police arrest three kidnappers, recover 54 AK-47 ammunition in Kwara
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