FG Advises Nigerians on Getting Abroad to Profile Themselves at Foreign Missions to Allow for Early Intervention in Case of Mistreatment

By: Michael Mike

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised Nigerians traveling abroad to make it a point of duty to register with the Nigerian mission in their host country in order to be accorded timely intervention in case of emergencies.

The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ahmed Dunoma made this appeal while receiving a delegation from the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria, (DICAN), led by its Chairman, Frederick Idehai Frederick.

The Permanent Secretary while citing a recent incident where Nigerians were trapped in the Central African Republic, and some individuals, especially on social media, attempted to tarnish the Ministry’s image emphasised that the ministry, Nigeria embassies and consulates should be informed of their presence during arrival not when they run into trouble.

He said: “I advise Nigerians to make it a point of duty to make their presence known to the Nigerian mission in the country they’re visiting.

“This simple step can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that Nigerians receive the support they need in times of crisis.

“There was a recent case of Nigerians trapped in Central African Republic, where some Nigerians tried to give the Ministry a bad name,” he said.

Dunoma while highlighting the importance of timely information dissemination, also called for a deeper collaboration between the Ministry and the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) in order to combat disinformation and misinformation.

He said DICAN and the ministry share a common goal of promoting a positive image of Nigeria.

“Most of the time, given the necessary information before people will even ask for information is crucial in managing crises effectively.

“We are saddled with the role of laundering the image of the country. Hence, the inevitability of a strengthened partnership between DICAN and the Ministry.

“This partnership is crucial in ensuring that accurate information about Nigeria is disseminated to the public, both locally and internationally,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary expressed gratitude to DICAN for organizing the recent world class maiden Diplomatic, Security International Conference that brought about together about seventy diplomats, security, intelligence, academics, corporate organisations, civil societies among other stakeholders to brainstorm on how to make the world a safer and better place to live.

He stated that the conference has enriched discussions on security and the impact of the 4Ds Policy direction of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s in enhancing Nigeria’s foreign image in the face of disinformation.

He said: “I thank DICAN for putting the programme together, it has enriched discuss on security and promote a positive image of Nigeria as well as ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens abroad.

“By working together, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and DICAN can promote a more accurate understanding of Nigeria’s role in international affairs and address the challenges posed by disinformation and misinformation.

“We have a lot of challenges, but it is our duty to ensure that the positive narrative is given out there, because we have to be patriotic.

“I think we need to sit down, work together and see how we can also be proactive.”

Presenting an award of excellence to the Permanent Secretary, the Chairman of DICAN, Frederick Idehai , solicited more support to ensure that the association carries out its agenda setting programmes.

“The Permanent Secretary has shown commitment to working with DICAN, and we appreciate his efforts in promoting a positive image of Nigeria,” Idehai said.

FG Advises Nigerians on Getting Abroad to Profile Themselves at Foreign Missions to Allow for Early Intervention in Case of Mistreatment

NDLEA, India’s NCB join efforts to end illicit shipments of tramadol, others to Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India have agreed to intensify their efforts in the fight against shipment of illicit drugs between the two countries especially the illegal flow of opioids such as tramadol and codeine-based syrup to Nigeria from the South Asian country.

This was part of agreements reached during a virtual meeting between the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) and the Director General of NCB, Mr. Anurag Garg along with top officials of the two anti-narcotics agencies on Wednesday

In his remarks at the meeting, Marwa noted the threat posed to public health and security by illicit drugs in both Nigeria and India, while emphasizing the need to strengthen the existing partnership between NDLEA and NCB based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two agencies in 2023.

He said: “The main reason why I requested for this engagement is the illicit importation of tramadol and codeine cough syrup into Nigeria from India. This is a point that I raised the day we signed the MoU. Now, in the last 18 months, that’s from January 2024 to June this year, we have seized over one billion pills of opioids mainly tramadol and more than 14.4 million bottles of codeine syrup. This is why we need the support and collaboration of the Narcotics Control Bureau of India to work with us on this.”

The NDLEA boss also asked the NCB to assist NDLEA in specialized trainings, stating that: “The other point from me, is seeking your assistance on capacity building and training. We have had training in the past from India on drugs and investigation, training for analysts, financial investigation, cyber training, the dark web and so on. We will very much appreciate sharing from your experiences and knowledge and your support on training for our officers.”

In his response, the NCB boss Anurag Garg said it is essential for the two agencies to strengthen the existing partnership because the drug problem cuts across international borders, while he assured of their readiness to share knowledge, intelligence and experience with NDLEA on a number of areas of interest.

According to him, “we all know that there are transnational syndicates involved in the illicit drug shipments into Nigeria but we’re ready to work with you on this. Unless we come together, we cannot end this malady because we’re dealing with transnational drug syndicates, they have no respect for borders, national laws. So, the only method as of now is to collaborate, and it is a good opportunity, I mean, this meeting, we can take this initiative forward.

“On the issue of capacity building, we will be happy to offer you training. We have a training centre where we will be happy to host you for any training. I mean, as per your need, we can have a curated training programme through which we will be very happy to share whatever we know on the subject of clandestine labs or precursors or darknet monitoring or investigating darknet vendors and so on and so forth.”

NDLEA, India’s NCB join efforts to end illicit shipments of tramadol, others to Nigeria

Silent jubilation in Kwara, Niger communities over speculated DSS capture of Mahmuda terror leader

By: Zagazola Makama

There is a wave of cautious celebration in some border communities of Kwara and Niger States following speculations surrounding the sudden disappearance – and possible capture – of Abubakar Abba Mahmuda, the feared leader of the Mahmuda terror group.

Zagazola Makama report that though no official statement has been released, residents in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara and parts of Borgu in Niger are gripped by growing belief that the Department of State Services (DSS) may have captured the notorious terrorist commander in a covert operation over the weekend.

The Mahmuda group, a violent breakaway faction of Boko Haram, has for over five years launched repeated attacks on farming communities in the Kainji Lake axis, displacing villagers, levying communities, and terrorising border settlements across Nigeria’s northwest.

However, the absence of Mahmuda’s voice often sent in Hausa audio messages demanding protection levies or issuing threats has sparked renewed hope among locals.

A village elder in Baruten, who spoke under anonymity, said the mood in his community has been quietly jubilant since Saturday.

“We have not heard Mahmuda’s voice, and none of his men knows his whereabouts,” he said. “The rumour is that DSS tracked him to one of his spiritualists and captured him alive. If this is true, then it is a big victory for all of us.”

According to him, the villagers strongly believe only the DSS could have executed such a high-level operation with precision and silence.

“Muna matukar farin ciki da DSS akan wannan falala da suka yi cikin sirri,” he said in Hausa, which loosely translates to: “We are very happy with what the DSS has done for us, and with such secrecy. These terrorists have been a source of severe headache for us.”

He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for allegedly responding to their long-standing cries for intervention.

Also speaking, the leader of a cattle market in the area expressed relief, saying his community had been under constant threat and economic hardship due to Mahmuda’s activities.

“Muna godiya ga Allah da wannan babban nasara,” he said. “We thank God for this great victory. We were living in fear, and now we can breathe. Thanks to the President and those carrying out these secret operations.”

Mahmuda, 33, is originally from Daura in Katsina State. Independent security sources told Zagazola that he once made a living selling Islamic tapes and recordings of radical clerics, including Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf.

He reportedly joined Boko Haram in its early years but later switched to Ansaru, before forming the Mahmuda faction around the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) region, a forested area of over 5,300 square kilometres – larger than Anambra State.

It is believe the group built alliances with terrorist cells in Mali and Niger Republic, drawing logistical and ideological support from regional jihadist networks.

In recent months, Mahmuda’s fighters had grown bolder, storming villages in broad daylight, collecting levies, and sacking entire communities. His audio threats had become a source of dread across the border communities.

A security source familiar with recent operations confirmed to Zagazola that the DSS had been quietly executing intelligence-led missions targeting high-profile terrorist leaders.

“Though details of Mahmuda’s disappearance remain sketchy, what’s not in doubt is that DSS operations in the North have become more surgical and efficient under the current leadership,” the source said.

As of Wednesday, security personnel across Kwara and Niger States remained on high alert, even as community leaders urged continued vigilance amid hopes that the group may fracture in the absence of its central command figure.

While the DSS has neither confirmed nor denied the reports, the atmosphere in Baruten and parts of Niger points to a rare moment of cautious optimism – the kind that only comes when a long-feared enemy seemingly vanishes without a trace.

Silent jubilation in Kwara, Niger communities over speculated DSS capture of Mahmuda terror leader