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NDLEA, NAFDAC Sign MoU to strengthen Collaboration on Illicit Drugs, Counterfeit Products
NDLEA, NAFDAC Sign MoU to strengthen Collaboration on Illicit Drugs, Counterfeit Products
By: Michael Mike
The ongoing fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the country gets a boost as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to share vital intelligence, facilities, and expertise.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the anti-narcotics agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) noted that the renewed partnership between NDLEA and NAFDAC will curb substance abuse and protect public health. This position was also affirmed by the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye.
Marwa said the development “marks a significant turning point in our shared endeavour to improve operational effectiveness, protect public health, and guarantee community safety.”
He added that: “NAFDAC and NDLEA play vital roles in our citizens’ health and safety. While the NDLEA focuses on combating illicit drug production, trafficking, and abuse, NAFDAC is responsible for regulating and ensuring the safety of food, drugs, and other consumables. Therefore, deepening our collaboration will ensure robust protection for public health and the well-being of our citizens. Our collaboration spans several decades and we are here to strengthen it further today.”
He said the MoU will establish a framework that will enhance the sharing of vital intelligence, facilities, and expertise, which will amplify ability to effectively address the intertwined challenges of drug abuse and counterfeit products.
Marwa said: “As we sign this MoU today, we are taking significant steps towards harnessing our collective strengths. It will align our strategies and resources, making us better equipped to tackle the growing menace of drug abuse and ensure that only safe, approved, and genuine products reach the hands of consumers.
“Today’s signing ceremony is not just a formal agreement but a commitment to our collective responsibility to intensify our service delivery. Together, we will work towards creating safer communities, reducing the prevalence of drug abuse, and ensuring that our people have access to safe and high-quality products.”
The NDLEA boss urged everyone to embrace the collaboration with enthusiasm and dedication while stressing the importance of maintaining open lines of communication, sharing of knowledge, and supporting each other in the national assignment.
In her remarks, Prof. Adeyeye aligned with the position of the NDLEA Chairman on the significance of the MoU, saying that stakeholders cannot afford to work in silos on the issues that border on substance abuse, illicit drug trafficking and public health in Nigeria.
She said: “We may not be taking illicit drugs, but we may have relatives taking illicit drugs. We may not have relatives taking illicit drugs, but we may have friends of relatives taking illicit drugs. When we look at it globally, it is our national security. It is not knowing what your neighbor may do to you, because illicit drugs alter the state of minds. Illicit drugs directly work on the central nervous system and make one feel what one is not supposed to feel. And that can include violence, terrorism, banditry, and those are the higher levels of societal ills that illicit drugs can result in.
“It can lead to spouse abuse, failure of children in school, health conditions, of course. As a pharmacist, whenever we deal with the pharmacology of a drug, we talk about the benefits, benefits, benefits, and then we end up with the side effects. And for almost all drugs, one of the side effects is death. It’s logical that NDLEA and NAFDAC should work very, very closely together. And I want to thank the chairman again for making this happen. We have been at it in terms of the timing and what not.
“We cannot afford to work in silo in Nigeria. We have sister agencies that work in silo, including NAFDAC. We are just changing the culture now. Working as focus groups to deal with problems, to solve problems. Therefore, this ceremony is for all of us to think that we have to work together, and collaborate together.”
NDLEA, NAFDAC Sign MoU to strengthen Collaboration on Illicit Drugs, Counterfeit Products
Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community
By: Zagazola Makama
A 47-year-old Indian national, identified as Kalidass Arunachalam, has died after suddenly slumping while on duty at a factory in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the deceased was a production manager with Green Hills Agricultural Products Ltd. He was said to have collapsed at about 11:30 a.m. on Friday while working at the company premises.
Company representatives, including another Indian national, Tushar Tukaram Phadtare, along with the Managing Director, Suleman Dauda, and the Chief Security Officer, Lt. Col. Thompson Udom (rtd), rushed him to God’s Spring Best Care Hospital in the Obaretin Community for urgent medical attention.
A medical doctor at the facility, identified as Dr. Kingsley Dele, later confirmed Arunachalam dead while efforts were still being made to revive him.
Officials later visited the hospital where the body was found lying face up on a hospital bed with a drip attached. No visible marks of violence were observed on the corpse.
The remains of the deceased were deposited at the mortuary, and efforts are ongoing to contact the Indian Embassy to inform his next-of-kin and facilitate diplomatic procedures.
Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community
Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba
By: Zagazola Makama
At least three persons, including a two-year-old child, are missing after a boat capsized on Friday night while ferrying passengers and vehicles across the Namnai River in Taraba State.
Zagazola Makama reports that the boat, which was transporting several passengers and three vehicles, capsized around 8:40 p.m. due to overloading and reckless navigation by the operator.
According to sources, the operator defied standing safety protocols by loading three vehicles onto the boat instead of the approved maximum of two. The mishap occurred while the boat was attempting to dock at the riverbank, when a strong wave destabilised it, causing it to overturn.
While many passengers were rescued by local divers and first responders, three victims identified as Aishatu Rilwanu, Baharatu Danasabe, and Yusuf Badaru, a two-year-old child all residents of Jantaro Ward in Mutum Biyu remain unaccounted for.
Rescue team were mobilised to scene as both community members and security personnel intensify the search and rescue efforts.
As of the time of filing this report, the rescue operation is still ongoing.
Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba
Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Ogun have arrested 22 suspected members of the Aiye confraternity during a coordinated raid at Hilltop Hotel in Osiele, Odeda Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, which took place on Friday night, followed credible intelligence received by officers at the Odeda Division regarding the unlawful gathering of cultists at the hotel.
The sources confirmed that a joint tactical team comprising officers from Aregbe Division, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and the Anti-Cultism Unit stormed the hotel and apprehended the suspects.
Among those arrested were 19 males, three females, and two serving military personnel, suspected to be linked to the cult group.
Items recovered from the suspects include one UTC axe, a cut-to-size barrel gun, and several blue beret caps, all identified with the Aiye cult group.
The sources said that the State Criminal Investigation Department’s Anti-Cultism Unit at Eleweran has been directed to conduct a discreet investigation into the incident, while further profiling of the suspects is underway.
The sources said individuals or groups found engaging in such criminal acts would face the full weight of the law.
Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers
Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community
Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba
Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers
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