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Newly refurbished forensic lab will enhance NDLEA’s performance – Marwa
Newly refurbished forensic lab will enhance NDLEA’s performance – Marwa
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has said that the upgrade of the forensic laboratory of the agency by the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) will enhance operational standard and optimal performance of the anti-narcotics agency in its renewed fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
Marwa who stated this at the commissioning of the agency’s newly refurbished forensic laboratory in Lagos on Wednesday, said “With this facility, we are now anticipating the provision of state-of-the-art analytical equipment, which will enhance optimal performance in line with standard operational laboratory procedures and best practices, which in turn will enhance evidence-based analytical processes in our forensic analysis.”
The project was facilitated by INL and implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC.
The NDLEA boss who was represented at the event by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi emphasized the importance of modern forensic laboratories to the successful fight against illicit drugs in the country.

According to him: “Everyone who knows how pivotal a forensic laboratory is to drug investigations will share my sentiment. The forensic laboratory plays a critical role in the identification of drug exhibits, in the investigation of illicit drug manufacturing and the dismantling of clandestine laboratories. Ultimately, it reinforces the criminal justice system.
“Given the current situation of illicit drugs in Nigeria, a forensic laboratory is sine qua non for any meaningful effort to stymie the problem. The reason is obvious. In three decades, Nigeria has grown from a transit country to a country that produces a farrago of new psychoactive substances, NPS, and a place where there is proliferation of clandestine laboratories, of which we have discovered and dismantled over 23.
“Over the last three years that I have been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, there have been seizures of record quantities of illicit drugs, approximately 7, 590 tons. What is remarkable about these seizures is that they include not only substances already under national and international control but also an unexpectedly high number of new psychoactive substances and combinations of illicit drugs prepared by chemists working in clandestine laboratories. These substances, constituting over 10,000 exhibits, found their way to the forensic laboratory for confirmatory analysis and identification.
“The poor infrastructure of our forensic laboratory translated into inadequacy to cope with the volume of work on ground. It is against this backdrop that INL intervened to sponsor the upgrading of the laboratory to a global standard and expand its capacity to cope with the challenging dynamics inherent in the analysis of new psychoactive substances, amphetamine-type stimulants, synthetic cannabinoids, and fentanyl opioids.”
Marwa expressed appreciation to the US government for approving funding for the project, which encompasses: strengthening the forensic and chemical analysis capacity of NDLEA; upgrading the interrogation room and provision of an e-library for prosecution. He equally commended the UNODC for painstaking implementation of the project.
He said some other benefits of the project so far include: the training of 20 NDLEA forensic analysts on drug identification and safe handling of synthetic opioids; provision of safety bags consisting of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); supply of 20 test kits for drugs and precursor chemicals for field identification; supply of laptops, desktop computer, and other ICT accessories among others.
Speaking at the event, U.S. Consul General Will Stevens highlighted the ongoing security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria.
He said: “The global opioid crisis calls for a coordinated, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary global response. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to modernize this chemical forensic laboratory in Lagos. This $500,000 investment will ensure our Nigerian partners have the state-of-the-art equipment and training needed to identify and analyze suspicious substances and evidence collected from crime scenes and suspects. We appreciate Nigeria’s strong regional leadership and commitment to work with us to combat this growing threat.”
In his remarks, the UNODC Deputy Country Representative, Danilo Campisi, commended the partnership with the United States INL and NDLEA, which he said “continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of these types of interventions, implemented by organisations like UNODC.”
“In the course of the past 12 months of implementing the first phase of this project, which primarily consisted of the provision of technical assistance, equipment and capacity building”, he stated adding that the next phase of the project, which will be implemented over the course of the next 12 months “is an opportunity to consolidate the interventions which will commenced in the first phase and we look forward to continuing the tripartite partnership between UNODC, the US Government and NDLEA ensuring that criminal drug trafficking networks are dismantled and brought to justice.”
Newly refurbished forensic lab will enhance NDLEA’s performance – Marwa
News
Zulum Flags off Distribution of Renewed Hope Sallah Palliative
Zulum Flags off Distribution of Renewed Hope Sallah Palliative
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has flagged off the distribution of palliatives under the Renewed Hope Initiative to vulnerable residents across the state ahead of the Eid al-Adha celebration.
The governor launched the exercise at the Conference Hall of Prime Lodge in Maiduguri.
Governor Zulum commended Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for supporting widows, orphans, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other vulnerable groups through the Renewed Hope Initiative.

“On behalf of the Government and good people of Borno State, I sincerely appreciate Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Founder of the Renewed Hope Initiative, for this compassionate intervention aimed at supporting vulnerable Nigerians and restoring hope to families facing economic hardship,” Zulum said.
The governor also praised the resilience and patience of the people of Borno despite years of insurgency and insecurity, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of citizens through people-oriented policies and programmes.
“Despite the challenges our state has faced over the years, our people have continued to demonstrate resilience, patience, and courage. As a government, we remain committed to implementing programmes and policies that directly improve the lives of our citizens,” he stated.

Zulum noted that the distribution exercise forms part of the federal and state governments broader social support programme aimed at cushioning economic hardship and strengthening community resilience.
“The distribution exercise we are flagging off today is therefore part of our broader social support programme designed to cushion economic difficulties and strengthen community resilience. I commend members of the Distribution Committee for their efforts and urge them to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability throughout the exercise so that the support will reach the rightful beneficiaries,” he added.
The governor urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the items distributed while also appreciating security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and development partners for their continued support towards peacebuilding and humanitarian interventions in the state.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Distribution Committee, Dr Abba Bashir Dankellori, expressed gratitude to Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the timely intervention, describing it as a relief that would enable many Muslim families to celebrate the forthcoming Sallah with ease.
“I wish to, on behalf of the committee, thank the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the kind gesture. We also appreciate Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, for the selfless leadership, commitment and service to the people of the state,” Dankellori stated.
According to him, beneficiaries of the intervention include Qur’anic and Sangaya school teachers, as well as religious organisations that contribute to the moral upbringing of society.
Governor Zulum was accompanied to the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Malumbe; Coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Engr Baba Bukar Gujbawu; Permanent Secretary, Government House, Barr. Mustapha Busuguma, among other top government officials.
Zulum Flags off Distribution of Renewed Hope Sallah Palliative
News
Security forces Conduct Show of Force In Jos, Bukuru During Church Services
Security forces Conduct Show of Force In Jos, Bukuru During Church Services
By: Zagazola Makama
Joint Security forced in Plateau State on Sunday conducted a joint show of force across major flashpoints within Jos metropolis and the Bukuru general area to ensure peaceful church services and strengthen public confidence.
The operation involved troops of Operation Enduring Peace, personnel of the Nigerian Air Force 551 Station, Operation Keystone, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies.
Security sources said the exercise commenced at about 7:30 a.m. and was aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action while providing adequate security coverage during church services.
The coordinated patrols and visibility operations covered identified vulnerable areas and strategic locations within Jos and Bukuru.
According to the sources, the operation was conducted without any security breach or incident, while religious activities across the affected areas remained peaceful.
The security agencies reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining collaborative operations aimed at maintaining law and order as well as protecting lives and property in Plateau State.
Security forces Conduct Show of Force In Jos, Bukuru During Church Services
News
Teenage Sensations Rosemary, Miracle Win Gold for Nigeria, Secure World Championship Spot
Teenage Sensations Rosemary, Miracle Win Gold for Nigeria, Secure World Championship Spot
Nigeria recorded a major triumph at the 24th CAA Senior Athletics Championship in Accra, Ghana, as teenage athletes Rosemary and Miracle delivered a stunning performance to win gold for the country in the women’s 4x100m relay event.
The young stars, both students of NTIC Secondary School, helped Team Nigeria clinch the gold medal with an impressive time of 42.94 seconds, further underlining the country’s growing strength in athletics.
Their victory also secured Nigeria a ticket to the World Championships in Gaborone, while guaranteeing qualification for the 2027 World Championship in China.
The feat was particularly remarkable for Rosemary, who was making her senior debut for Nigeria at the continental championship.
Sports enthusiasts have since praised the duo for proving that age is no barrier to excellence, with many describing their performance as a glimpse into the bright future of Nigerian athletics.
Teenage Sensations Rosemary, Miracle Win Gold for Nigeria, Secure World Championship Spot
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