Crime
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
Troops Intervene After Farm Destruction, Assault of Herder in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 4, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have intervened in separate incidents involving alleged destruction of farmlands and the assault of a herder in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incidents occurred on Sunday, August 23, 2026, around the Kwi general area of the local government.
According to a security source, troops responded to a report of cattle destroying farmlands in the area and, upon arrival, discovered an injured herder who had allegedly been assaulted by some Berom youths.
The troops immediately brought the situation under control and evacuated the injured herder to a hospital for medical attention.
In a related development, troops also responded to reports of the destruction of multiple farmlands around Kwi, including the Bok and Gura areas.
On arrival, the troops reportedly found a herd of cattle grazing on the farmlands, while the herder fled after sighting the security personnel.
The livestock were subsequently moved to the troops’ location to allow for an amicable resolution of the dispute and prevent further escalation between farmers and herders.
The intervention is part of ongoing efforts by Operation ENDURING PEACE to prevent farmer-herder disputes from escalating into violence and maintain peace in vulnerable communities across Plateau State.
Security personnel are maintaining surveillance in the affected areas while efforts continue to ensure peaceful resolution of the incidents.
Troops Intervene After Farm Destruction, Assault of Herder in Plateau
Suspected Fulani Bandits Attack Claims Miner’s Life in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
A miner identified as Mr. Dachung Dacholom has been killed in an isolated shooting incident by suspected Fulani bandits at an illegal mining site in Rim community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident occurred at about 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, when troops of Sector 6, Operation ENDURING PEACE, deployed at Rim responded to reports of sporadic gunshots around an illegal mining site.
Military sources said the troops, alongside personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), arrived at the location and discovered the corpse of Dacholom, who was reportedly shot by suspected Fulani militia members.
The assailants were said to have opened fire on miners at the site before fleeing into the surrounding high grounds.
The troops subsequently combed the general area in search of the attackers but made no contact with the assailants.
The victim’s remains were later handed over to his family members for burial.
Meanwhile, troops have intensified patrols and domination of the general area to prevent further attacks and de-escalate tensions in the community.
Security agencies are also continuing efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
Suspected Fulani Bandits Attack Claims Miner’s Life in Plateau
Troops Arrest Suspected Criminal Accused of Robbing Three Herders in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 6, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have arrested a suspected criminal for allegedly robbing three herders who had provided him shelter overnight at Ungwan Boka Hills in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The suspect was arrested at about 7:00 a.m. on August 20, 2026, by troops deployed at a Sector Operational Patrol Post (SOPP) in the area.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect had reportedly sought refuge with the three herders and was accommodated by them overnight at the Ungwan Boka Hills.
However, instead of leaving peacefully, the suspect allegedly robbed his hosts before troops apprehended him.
The suspect is currently in military custody and is expected to undergo further investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether he may be linked to other criminal activities in the area.
The arrest highlights the security challenges confronting communities around the Riyom axis, where isolated settlements and rugged terrain can provide opportunities for criminals to operate.
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have continued to maintain patrols and surveillance across vulnerable areas of Plateau State as part of efforts to prevent criminal activities and protect residents and pastoral communities.
The security forces are also expected to intensify intelligence gathering and community engagement to identify suspected criminals operating within the area.
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