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NDLEA, India’s NCB join efforts to end illicit shipments of tramadol, others to Nigeria
NDLEA, India’s NCB join efforts to end illicit shipments of tramadol, others to Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India have agreed to intensify their efforts in the fight against shipment of illicit drugs between the two countries especially the illegal flow of opioids such as tramadol and codeine-based syrup to Nigeria from the South Asian country.
This was part of agreements reached during a virtual meeting between the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) and the Director General of NCB, Mr. Anurag Garg along with top officials of the two anti-narcotics agencies on Wednesday
In his remarks at the meeting, Marwa noted the threat posed to public health and security by illicit drugs in both Nigeria and India, while emphasizing the need to strengthen the existing partnership between NDLEA and NCB based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two agencies in 2023.
He said: “The main reason why I requested for this engagement is the illicit importation of tramadol and codeine cough syrup into Nigeria from India. This is a point that I raised the day we signed the MoU. Now, in the last 18 months, that’s from January 2024 to June this year, we have seized over one billion pills of opioids mainly tramadol and more than 14.4 million bottles of codeine syrup. This is why we need the support and collaboration of the Narcotics Control Bureau of India to work with us on this.”
The NDLEA boss also asked the NCB to assist NDLEA in specialized trainings, stating that: “The other point from me, is seeking your assistance on capacity building and training. We have had training in the past from India on drugs and investigation, training for analysts, financial investigation, cyber training, the dark web and so on. We will very much appreciate sharing from your experiences and knowledge and your support on training for our officers.”
In his response, the NCB boss Anurag Garg said it is essential for the two agencies to strengthen the existing partnership because the drug problem cuts across international borders, while he assured of their readiness to share knowledge, intelligence and experience with NDLEA on a number of areas of interest.
According to him, “we all know that there are transnational syndicates involved in the illicit drug shipments into Nigeria but we’re ready to work with you on this. Unless we come together, we cannot end this malady because we’re dealing with transnational drug syndicates, they have no respect for borders, national laws. So, the only method as of now is to collaborate, and it is a good opportunity, I mean, this meeting, we can take this initiative forward.
“On the issue of capacity building, we will be happy to offer you training. We have a training centre where we will be happy to host you for any training. I mean, as per your need, we can have a curated training programme through which we will be very happy to share whatever we know on the subject of clandestine labs or precursors or darknet monitoring or investigating darknet vendors and so on and so forth.”
NDLEA, India’s NCB join efforts to end illicit shipments of tramadol, others to Nigeria
Seven pupils injured in Benue school explosion
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Benue has confirmed that seven pupils were injured when a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) went off at a primary school in Ukum Local Government Area of the state.
Sources confirmed on Friday that the incident occurred on Sept. 16 at about 2:00 p.m. at the Local Government Education Authority Primary School, Ater Ayange.
He said the explosion happened when some pupils, who found an object in the school premises, began to play with it without knowing it was an explosive device.
“While playing, the pin of the device was pulled off, causing an explosion that injured seven children,” he said.
The sources said the children were rushed to St. Anthony Hospital, Zaki-Biam, where they were receiving treatment and responding well.
He added that the incident was not immediately reported to the police until Sept. 18, when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ukum received information and deployed a patrol team to the school and hospital.
He said the Officer-in-Charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit had been deployed to sweep the area for possible detection of other hidden explosive objects and determine the nature of the device.
The police further disclosed that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had commenced an investigation into the incident.
Seven pupils injured in Benue school explosion
Hoodlums set ablaze seven houses in Plateau community
By; Zagazola Makama
Suspected hoodlums have set ablaze seven mud houses in Ruwam Jirog Village, Kopmur Mushere West of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau satye.
Sources told Zagazola on Friday that the incident occurred on Sept. 19 at about 12:40 a.m.
The sources said that the hoodlums, suspected to be Fulani militia, invaded the village in the middle of the night and mischievously set fire to the houses.
According to the sources, on receipt of the report, security forces stormed to the scene to restore calm.
The sources added that victims of the incident were admonished not to resort to self-help as discreet investigation had commenced, while concerted efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend the perpetrators.
Hoodlums set ablaze seven houses in Plateau community
Police arrest nine suspects for NNPC pipeline vandalism in Taraba
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Taraba has arrested nine suspects for alleged vandalism of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipelines along Kona Mountains and Minda axis of the state.
Sources said that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 15 at about 1:10 p.m. while engaging in the act.
The sources gave the names of the suspects as: Lagne Apollos, Isa Aminu, Ahmed Aminu, Kamal Abubakar, Solomon Tanko, Simon Mathias,Victor Kanu, Dogara Patrick amd Emmanuel Apollos.
According to the sources, operatives who acted on credible intelligence stormed the scene and caught the suspects in the act.
The sources added that about 30 cut-to-size pipes used in siphoning petroleum products were recovered as exhibits.
The sources said the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations, while assuring that the command remained resolute in tackling economic sabotage in the state.
Police arrest nine suspects for NNPC pipeline vandalism in Taraba
Seven pupils injured in Benue school explosion
Hoodlums set ablaze seven houses in Plateau community
Police arrest nine suspects for NNPC pipeline vandalism in Taraba
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