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NDLEA seized over N450 billion drugs, others from barons, traffickers in less than 2 years

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NDLEA seized over N450 billion drugs, others from barons, traffickers in less than 2 years

NDLEA seized over N450 billion drugs, others from barons, traffickers in less than 2 years

By Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a total drug and non-drug seizures of over N450 billion from drug traffickers and barons within the last 22 months.

Also within the same period of time seizures of over 100 million pills of pharmaceutical opioid, tramadol that could have impacted negatively on the youth population and national productivity in Nigeria, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) disclosed on Tuesday in Abuja

Marwa made the disclosure during the Commands Awards/Commendations and decoration of newly promoted officers at the agency’s National Headquarters.

According to him, “Within the period under review, the agency arrested 23,907 drug traffickers including 29 barons. Our seizure was over 5,500 tons or 5.5 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs, which together with cash seized are worth over N450 billion.

“In the same period, we have taken the fight to the doorsteps of cannabis growers by destroying 772. 5 hectares of cannabis farms. In these 22 months, we have record convictions of 3, 434 offenders. We have equally made good strides in our drug demand reduction efforts where the number of those counselled and rehabilitated is 16,114.

“The figures are mere statistics until you view them through the lens of human impact and the good or harm that could have come to society, the impact on public health, security as well as law and order if those dangerous drugs had gone to the street. Take, for instance, the one hundred million pills of tramadol seized in the past 22 months. If those pills had gone into circulation and ended up in the hands of young people, it would take a heavy toll on lives, families, productivity and, ultimately, the GDP of the country because it will affect these young people who are the engine room of productivity.”

Marwa while justifying the reason behind the award and promotion of staff, said “there is no gainsaying that our dedication to duty has been the driving force behind our good performance; at the same time, it is also not an exaggeration to say that our good performance is catalysed by motivation. As proven right by events in the past 24 months, management’s decision to deploy multipronged motivational mechanism to improve the organisation’s work ethic is part of the recipe for the resurgence of the agency and the resultant spectacular performance.

“On that score, management is committed to doing everything possible to improve productivity on the job. Part of that effort is why we are here today, namely the Commands Awards and Commendations.

“We usually calculate our performance as monthly, quarterly or yearly appraisals. But drug law enforcement is generally a continuum, hence, I am wont to always appraise our efforts from January 2021, when we began far-reaching reforms, reviewed our strategies and rejigged the existing systems to accommodate innovations.

“From then till now, we have been on an upward trajectory. And indeed, what we have done in the last 22 months, from January 2021 to October 2022, based on the available statistics, is cause for celebration.”

Marwa while praising President Muhammadu Buhari for his relentless support for the Agency to succeed in its given assignment, led the gathering to offer a birthday song to celebrate the President on his 80th birthday.

He charged the officers who were promoted and those who got commendation awards to rededicate themselves while assuring others with such expectations to be hopeful.
“I charge you to take this award as a testament to your professional progress. Beyond that, that you are here today should also be taken as a challenge to surpass your record every quarter and to be resolute to always be part of this bi-annual ceremony.

He said the second leg of this ceremony pertains to the decoration of some officers that were recently promoted. Last year, 3,506 officers were promoted. This year, a total of 1,018 officers have been promoted to new ranks including two DCGN, 17 ACGN, 29 CN, 78 DCN and 111 ACN. Others are 63 CSN, 106 SN, 129 DSN, 25 ASN I, 400 ASN II, 9 CNA, 44 SNA, 3 NA and 2 NAS I.

He noted that: “Promotion is a reward for industry, diligence and dedication. It is earned on merit, not given as gratis, and at times, it is subject to vacancy. What that means is that it is not everybody that deserves a promotion that gets it. From certain ranks, there is a limited vacancy in upward mobility. That brings me to this important point: to those whose expectations were not met in the just concluded promotion and harmonisation exercise, I am saying that the process is still on going as management is working to address some complaints. We will continue to put everyone concerned into consideration as soon as there are openings at the higher level.”

He however charged the officers not to rest on their oars while also urging them to abstain from any action that could undermine the collective interest of the agency in ridding the country of illicit substance abuse and trafficking. “I am obligated to give kudos for the good job you have done this year. This year’s performance is a testament to the fact that what we achieved last year was not a fluke. I enjoined us to keep up the good work, but remember, we are on a long journey, there is still long mileage to cover and there is room for improvement.
“Importantly, do not abuse the trust reposed in us by the public. I want to assure you that management is taking care of your welfare, professionalism and work entitlement.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has done this in terms of welfare packages with his approval of a number of incentives. The barrack project is also in full swing. These are indications that the future is bright for NDLEA officers. Therefore, we cannot afford to have officers that cross the lines in terms of temptations. You have got nothing to fear whether now or in retirement because we now have a good welfare package that should take care of you and your family on the job or in retirement.”

NDLEA seized over N450 billion drugs, others from barons, traffickers in less than 2 years

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Crime

Gunmen kill eight in Nasarawa village attack

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Gunmen kill eight in Nasarawa village attack

By: Zagazola Makama

At least eight persons have been confirmed dead following an armed attack on Nindama village in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Sources said that the attack occurred in the early hours of Oct. 10.

The sources said that unknown gunmen invaded the village around 3:30 a.m., shooting sporadically and killing eight residents.

“Two other persons sustained critical injuries and are currently receiving treatment, while six others are still missing,” the sources said.

He said that at about 3:30 p.m., a combined team of security agencies including army, police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) visited the scene along with the Executive Chairman of Kokona LGA, Hon. Agbawu M. Agbawu.

According to the sources, the corpses have been evacuated to the mortuary, while efforts are ongoing to locate the missing persons and apprehend the attackers.

Preliminary investigation, sources said, indicated that the attack may have been connected to a lingering land dispute in the area.

The security forces assured residents of intensified security patrols and urged anyone with useful information to assist the ongoing investigation.

Gunmen kill eight in Nasarawa village attack

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Crime

Boko Haram: Maiduguri-Damaturu road reopens after temporary closure

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Boko Haram: Maiduguri-Damaturu road reopens after temporary closure

By: Bodunrin Kayode 

The Maiduguri-Damaturu road, the only exit from the Borno state capital, has been opened to commuters after a temporary shutdown today after improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were planted against Nigerian troops.

The IEDs were set at the wee hours of the day when insurgents launched a fierce attack on the Ngamdu military base, causing damage to the general area for at least an hour.

Just before the first light of Friday, reinforcements were coming from Mainoc and Beneshiek but drove directly on top of IEDs, which the insurgents had planted before their aggression against the Ngamdu camp.

By first light, hundreds of commuters and their vehicles were already trapped at the exit point in Damaturu en route to Maiduguri as a result of the wee-hour attack on the base, while those coming from Maiduguri were also affected.

Those coming from Damaturu were stopped from embarking on the journey; one knows his/her fate, and no one is sure as to when the ever-busy road will reopen for free flow of traffic. 

Some of the troops were feared killed even as the suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked the military base, which was a super camp expresswayin the Kaga local government area of Borno State.

A military source hinted that troops fought back for over an hour to stop the terrorists from overrunning the camp before 4 am, when the fracas reduced. 

Meanwhile, security sources said the insurgents operated for over an hour before the arrival of reinforcements.

The attack was a coordinated attack that involved a high number of criminals.

Responding to the incident, the spokesman for the 7th Division, Lieutenant Colonel Uba, stated that the attack has been successfully repelled by the military. 

“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist attack in the Ngamdu general area, following a swift response by forces on the ground and reinforcement elements from 29 Task Force Brigade.

“The terrorists employed Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and command-initiated Improvised Explosive Devices, targeting troops and own platforms. 

“Despite the intensity of the attack, troops held their ground and responded with superior firepower, inflicting significant losses on the terrorists.  Unfortunately, our own troops recorded 4 x Killed in Action (KIA) and 5 x Wounded in Action (WIA). Additionally, some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Gun Trucks (GTs) sustained varying degrees of damage during the encounter.

“The terrorists attempted to prevent reinforcements and inflict further casualties by planting multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR). This necessitated a temporary closure of the MSR, as engineers swiftly responded to clear 3 IED-laden spots. Following successful clearance, the MSR has now been reopened to both military and civilian movement.

“In response to the attack, troops were immediately resupplied with critical logistics, including MRAP tires and ammunition, to sustain operations and restore full mobility. Credible intelligence confirms heavy terrorist casualties, with reports indicating mass burials of about 15 bodies conveyed in pushcarts by the terrorists for burial around Bula Wura, near Wasaram.

“As part of continued efforts to dominate the area, 29 Task Force Brigade has launched fighting patrols and exploitation operations aimed at denying the terrorists freedom of action and consolidating operational gains.

“The gallantry and resilience of the troops have been commended, and the public has been assured that normalcy would be sustained with operations ongoing to maintain peace and security in the area.” Said Uba Sani.

Boko Haram: Maiduguri-Damaturu road reopens after temporary closure

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Bandit attack in Charanchi leaves elderly man dead, livestock stolen

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Bandit attack in Charanchi leaves elderly man dead, livestock stolen

By: Zagazola Makama

Suspected armed bandits on Wednesday night attacked Billire Village in Charanchi Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing an elderly man and rustling livestock.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident occurred at about 10:52 p.m., when the bandits sneaked into the village. Police and military patrol teams, alongside community vigilantes, were promptly mobilized to the scene.

Authorities discovered that one Alhaji Sule Dan-Kado, 70, had been critically shot during the attack and later succumbed to his injuries at the General Hospital Charanchi. The bandits also made away with an unspecified number of livestock.

Security operatives have cordoned off the area, blocked all potential exit routes, and launched a search operation to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen properties.

Bandit attack in Charanchi leaves elderly man dead, livestock stolen

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