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NDLEA Opens 24/7 Call Centre to Assist People with Drug Related Issues

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NDLEA Opens 24/7 Call Centre to Assist People with Drug Related Issues

NDLEA Opens 24/7 Call Centre to Assist People with Drug Related Issues

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has commissioned a modern 24/7 call centre set up to attend to Nigerians from all parts of the country with needs on drug related issues.

Speaking at the commissioning, Marwa said that drug users and addicts no longer have excuse not to seek treatment with the commissioning of the modern 24/7 call centre set up to attend to Nigerians from all parts of the country.

The NDLEA call centre with toll free helpline is manned by professionals and experts in counselling, psychotherapy, psychology and psychiatry among others.

According to Marwa, “the provision of this toll-free helpline is a milestone in our resolve to broaden access to quality health care for drug users in the country. This has become a necessity and a strategic intervention in our determined effort to bring under control the increasing cases of drug use disorder and related health concerns.”

He said though the country has treatment centres, while NDLEA has 26 treatment facilities across its commands, they are nevertheless grossly inadequate in the face of statistics of drug users and those suffering from drug use disorder

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He said: “NDLEA recognised the importance of providing a safety bubble for users who ordinarily cannot access the conventional treatment services at established rehabilitation centres due to poverty, social stigma and the resultant discrimination attached to being an identified drug user in society, among other factors. Therefore, the inevitability and the utility of a toll-free helpline that guarantees anonymity, confidentiality and safety, as a motivation for those in need of health help to freely seek such.”

He noted that: “The NDLEA Call Centre is manned by a team of licensed and credible clinical psychologists, counsellors, support workers and mental health professionals who would provide the needed support in aiding recovery, managing social and emotional problems, improving quality of life and enhancing performance and productivity of the users of the service. With its state-of-the-art equipment and its team of highly trained professionals in substance abuse disorder, this centre offers a teletherapy service according to global best practices.”

He disclosed that: “The benefit of the Call Centre is manifolds. Aside from helping us in providing telephone-based psychosocial support and addiction services in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), it will at the same time provide us with information that will deepen our understanding of the country’s dynamics of drug use and potentially put us ahead of the game.”

He said: “To those in need of help, we open a new chapter today, whereby help is just a phone call away. We have simplified the helpline service by making it language-sensitive whereby callers have the choice of language including English, Pidgin, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo. And very importantly, the helpline is open 24/7. A call to the helpline, 0800 1020 3040, elicits a prompt response from professionals, regardless of the time or geographic location.

“The calls open the door to engagements with counsellors, followed by service orientation that leads to case management, at which point the engagement moves from telephone assessment to follow-up therapy sessions and referral. This seamless process ends in Resolution and Aftercare Follow-Up. Given the simplicity of the process, there is no valid excuse for not accessing treatment by drug users and their concerned families.  We expect those concerned to take advantage of this opportunity.”

In their remarks at the event, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN represented by the Director of Public Prosecution of the federation, Muhammed Abubakar; UNODC country representative, Oliver Stolpe and European Union delegation representative, Eleni Zerzerlidou commended the NDLEA for the initiative, while calling for its expansion and sustenance.

The Chief Executive of the company managing the centre, Primly Services Ltd, Dr. Vincent Udenze commended Marwa for providing the leadership that made the initiative a reality.

NDLEA Opens 24/7 Call Centre to Assist People with Drug Related Issues

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Troops neutralise three terrorist kingpins in Sokoto ambush

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Troops neutralise three terrorist kingpins in Sokoto ambush

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) have neutralised three notorious terrorist kingpins during a successful ambush operation in Sabon Birni Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State.

Zagazola Makama report that the operation was conducted on July 25 between Mallamawa and Mazau villages in the Tsamaye/Mai Lalle District of the LGA.

During the operation, the troops neutralised the terrorists identified as Kachalla Nagomma, Gurmu and Ali Yar Daribiyar, and recovered three AK-47 rifles with magazines and a motorcycle.

Sources told Zagazola that the terrorists and their foot soldiers were in the area to collect ransom and illegal levies imposed on residents when they were ambushed by the troops.

The source said the operation has triggered widespread relief and jubilation among residents of Mai Lalle, Tsamaye, Rimaye and nearby communities across Sabon Birni and Goronyo LGAs.

“These terrorists have long tormented the communities with killings, kidnappings and extortion, so this success is a huge morale boost for the people,” the source added.

The troops have continued to intensify kinetic and non-kinetic efforts in synergy with other security agencies and local vigilante groups.

The military has urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to assist the troops in sustaining momentum against criminal elements.

Troops neutralise three terrorist kingpins in Sokoto ambush

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Two hunters killed, four injured in armed bandits’ ambush in Niger

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Two hunters killed, four injured in armed bandits’ ambush in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits suspected to be insurgents have killed two Hunters, operating under a local security outfit, and injured four others in a deadly ambush in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

Zagazola Makama was reliably informed that the incident occurred on July 24 at about 4:00 p.m. when the security team was on a routine patrol around Iburo village, located within the Galadiman-Kogo District.

The armed assailants, numbering in their dozens, opened fire on the patrol team, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.

Two members of the Hunters, identified as Jafaru Baba Ali and Baba Ustaz, both male, died in the attack, while four others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

The injured personnel were evacuated and are currently receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, where medical officials confirmed they are responding positively.

Security sources said the bandits also suffered casualties during the shootout but managed to retreat into the forest.

Two hunters killed, four injured in armed bandits’ ambush in Niger

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Crime

Man rapes, kills mentally ill woman in Kano

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Man rapes, kills mentally ill woman in Kano

By: Zagazola Makama

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Usaini Usaini, for allegedly raping and killing a mentally ill woman in Kwasangwami village, Gezawa Local Government Area of the state.

Police sources in Kano told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 12:30 p.m. when the suspect allegedly trespassed into the residence of one Abdullahi Idris, 50, and attacked his 30-year-old daughter, Abula Idris, who was said to be mentally ill.

“The suspect forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim who later died as a result of the assault,” said the sources.

He said the village head of Kwasangwami reported the case to the police, and officers promptly visited the scene and evacuated the victim to Sir Sanusi General Hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

Usaini was immediately arrested and taken into custody, while the case is under investigation.

The police assured members of the public that justice would be served.

Man rapes, kills mentally ill woman in Kano

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