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NDLEA, Military to Strengthen Synergy on Drug War

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NDLEA, Military to Strengthen Synergy on Drug War

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian military has promised to strengthen its synergy with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to curtail the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

The assurance was given on Monday by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Gusau when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) at the agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja.

Marwa, in his remarks, commended the Nigerian Armed Forces under the leadership of the CDS for their loyalty, sacrifices and hard work to keep the country safe. He also thanked the military for supporting the agency in terms of logistics and training.

The anti-narcotics czar while emphasizing the significance of the partnership between the military and the NDLEA, said substance abuse is at the root of crimes and criminalities across the country.

He said: “The criminal elements rely on drugs to carry out their criminalities and that is why we have been very ferocious in our offensive action against them to cut access and availability of these illicit drugs.

“As a result, in about three years we have arrested 42,105 drug offenders, including 46 barons; seized 7,500 tons of drugs; 1,057 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed and 8, 350 offenders convicted while 29,400 drug users have been counselled and rehabilitated within the same period.”

He therefore urged the armed forces to consider constructing central rehabilitation centre and creating rehab facilities in existing military hospitals to attend to the treatment of their personnel that may have issues of substance abuse.

Speaking earlier, the CDS commended Marwa and his management team for the great turn around on the drug war, which has positively changed the negative perception about Nigeria in the international community.

He assured of the continued support of the armed forces to NDLEA in its renewed fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. He said the Agency’s efforts have motivated the military to introduce drug test as a requirement for training and promotion in the armed forces.

He said the nexus between drug abuse and insecurity cannot be over-emphasized, adding that if the nation is able to curb the scourge of substance abuse, the current security challenges would have been drastically reduced. He also said the menace must be tackled holistically while promising to consider the suggestion by the NDLEA boss for the military to have its own central rehabilitation centre.

The CDS said: “We know the challenges of drugs and how the use of illicit drugs has affected Nigeria’s name. And when Nigeria is mentioned abroad, everybody thinks about drugs, but you and your team have turned that around, at least now, people have seen that sense of sincerity in addressing the drug issue in Nigeria. We know it is not easy, because a lot of people have benefited so much from it and they will do anything to sustain their illicit businesses.

“I want to assure you that the members of Nigerian Armed Forces are fully behind you. We are proud of you and what you have been achieving and we will continue to support you until the menace of drugs is totally eliminated in the country. We know the influence of drug use and what it has done to us, creating a lot of issues all over the country, which is very alarming.
“Drug use has slipped into so many places, and for members of the Armed Forces; we’re not excluded. Now we have introduced as part of our recruitment processes and for our people to go for courses, they must take drug test, because this will ensure that personnel of the Armed Forces are doing the right thing and are in the right frame of mind. So, we’ll continue to do that and continue to intensify our efforts.

“”We have seen the number of arrests being made and how the world over now has seen that Nigeria is taking positive measures to address this drug issue, this I think is highly commendable. Theatre Commanders in the North East have seen the effect of drugs. Ideally, some people that will not even be able to carry a knife, when they take drugs, they carry a GPMG. So, this tells you what drugs do, it gives you a lot of fake confidence and with usage over time they become addicted and when they become addicted it becomes dangerous to them and they become a danger to everyone close to them.”

NDLEA, Military to Strengthen Synergy on Drug War

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Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Gamboru Ngala, kill one terrorist

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Troops repel Boko Haram attack in Gamboru Ngala, kill one terrorist

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have repelled a ISWAP attack on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) along the Pump House axis of Gamboru Ngala–Kala Balge Road in Borno State.

Sources report that the attack occurred at about 1:15 a.m. on Sunday when terrorists attempted to infiltrate the military base.

According to the sources, the troops engaged the insurgents in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat. One of the terrorists was fatally injured during the exchange of fire, and his corpse was recovered from the scene.

The security situation in the area has since been stabilized.
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Saudi Universities Say Our Schools Open to Muslims and Non-Muslims Nigerian Students

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Saudi Universities Say Our Schools Open to Muslims and Non-Muslims Nigerian Students

By: Michael Mike

Nigerians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, have been advised to pursue academic aspirations in Saudi Arabia Universities.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday at the opening of the Forum of Saudi Arabia Universities Alumni in Nigeria and Neighboring Countries. Vice President for Educational and Academic Affairs, King Khalid University, Prof. Saad Daajim, said no fewer than 850 Nigerian students are currently schooling in various universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with over
3,200 Nigerians graduated from Saudi Arabian universities in last one decade.

The forum which was has as theme “alumni of Saudi universities in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Surrounding countries and their impact on sustainable development.”

Daajim said: “In Saudi Arabia, there are more than 850 students from this country (Nigeria) studying in Saudi Universities. Already, in the last one decade, there are more than 3,200 graduates from Nigeria.”

He said his country is open to admitting more Nigerians to study in their universities, adding that prospective students from Nigeria will be given acceptable rate.

“We are actually proud to accept more Nigerian students in our university in different disciplines, education, engineering, science, Arabic language, religious studies and medical sector. Hopefully, we will arrange a good acceptance rate for this country because it contributes a huge number of population to the African contigent,” he added.

He also revealed that his country has a scholarship scheme which is available to all irrespective of religion.

The Khalid University Don said scholarship are for both Muslims and non-Muslims, adding that: “According to our regulation, admission will be accessible to all even scholarships.

“And we have King Abdullah University for Science and Technology, most of the scholarships for students are for Muslims and non-Muslims as well. And King Fahd University for Mineral and Petroleum also employs and accepts students from all cultures, all religions, all continents.”

Speaking on the forum, the Don said it is to open communication with alumni from Saudi Universities and see how they are impacting on their environment.

He said: “We found them very active and we expect that when they come back to their country, they will contribute to sustainable development, either for personal living or in the country.”

On the prospect of Nigerian graduates in Saudi Arabia, Daajim said graduates who wishes to pursue higher degrees after their first degree are allowed to continue and also those whose skills are needed stand the chance to be employed.

He said: “Actually, when they graduate from Saudi University, they could continue their higher studies in Master or PhD. And if they are well qualified, they will be hired by the university as a professor.”

Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, in her opening remarks commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its long-standing commitment to educational cooperation and cultural institutions with Nigeria.

Ahmad said: “Such partnerships enrich our human capital and strengthen bilateral ties for mutual good. As we celebrate this gathering, I urge the alumni to continue to serve as ambassadors of knowledge, peace and development.”

She added that: “Your role in mentoring young Nigerians, advancing intercultural understanding and contributing to national development cannot be overstated. The Federal Ministry of Education will continue to support initiatives that harness alumni network for national advancement, for educational advancement and sustainable nation building.”

She also recognised the invaluable contributions of Nigerian alumni of Saudi universities to the national growth, peace, education, culture and development of the country.

She said: “Beyond academic achievement, you embody the bridge of friendship, cooperation and shared values between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Education, as we know, is the bedrock of progress.

“The training and exposure you acquired in Saudi institutions have not only equipped you with knowledge but also instilled in you discipline, global perspective and a strong sense of science. These qualities are critical to advancing Nigeria’s quest for inclusive and sustainable development. Indeed, many of you have become respected scholars, professionals, entrepreneurs, community leaders and public servants whose influence continues to shape our society positively.”

On his part, the Secretary of the Alumni, Dr. Mohamed Munir Ilyas, who was a graduate of Islamic University of Medina said since returning home, he has been contributing towards peaceful co-existence between the two major religious groups in Nigeria.

He stressed that “Of course, when you look at development, where there is no peace, it’s very hard to have development. We have been encouraging our members to be law-abiding citizens and peacemakers, peace builders and peace keepers also. And also to make an impact as far as academics is concerned, as far as moral is concerned, as far as even earning livelihood is concerned.”

Saudi Universities Say Our Schools Open to Muslims and Non-Muslims Nigerian Students

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Police arrest suspected bandits, informant and drug supplier in Sokoto

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Police arrest suspected bandits, informant and drug supplier in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested three suspected bandits, an informant, and a suspected drug supplier during a coordinated raid on a criminal hideout in Kware Local Government Area of the state.

Sources said the operation, carried out by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit on Oct. 4, followed credible intelligence on the activities of a five-man syndicate notorious for terrorising communities in Wamako and Kware areas.

The police team stormed the suspects’ hideout in Sabon Birni, Kware LGA, leading to the arrest of Bubale Mohammed and two others, alongside an informant and a suspected drug baron who allegedly supplied the gang with hard drugs.

Items recovered during the operation include dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and various illicit drugs.

According to the sources, video footage retrieved from the suspects’ phones showed them dressed in military uniforms and displaying rifles inside their camp.

Sources said efforts are ongoing to track and arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

Police arrest suspected bandits, informant and drug supplier in Sokoto

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