Connect with us

News

Oborevwori, Marwa say Nigerians must rise in unison to defeat drug scourge

Published

on

Oborevwori, Marwa say Nigerians must rise in unison to defeat drug scourge

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state have stated that for Nigeria to defeat the twin evil of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, Nigerians must rise in unison to stamp out the scourge from communities and cities across the country.

They agreed on this in their remarks when the NDLEA boss paid the governor a courtesy visit at the Government House in Asaba during his three-day working visit which ended on Friday.

A statement on Friday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said Marwa while explaining his mission to the governor and members of his executive council at the executive chamber of the Government House where he was received along with senior NDLEA officials who accompanied him.

Marwa said he was visiting Delta to personally condole the family of Mr. Fidelis Omhonrina over the tragedy of the unintended death of young Ivan and the wounding of his brother, Eromosele, as a result of a ricocheted bullet that strayed 600 metres away from the scene of an NDLEA encounter with some notorious drug dealers on 13th July in Asaba.

He said he was equally in the state to assess the operational needs of the Delta state command and Delta Ports command of the Agency with a view to mobilizing officers and men of the two formations to go all out for drug cartels operating in the state. He also added that his third mission was to rally stakeholders key to a successful fight against the drug menace in Delta with a 2018 prevalence rate of 18%.

He said with a projected rate of 40% rise in drug abuse in Africa by 2030, all well meaning Nigerians and organisations must unite behind the anti-narcotics agency in its ongoing renewed efforts in drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction.

Marwa, while encouraging the governor to intensify his poverty alleviation programmes to address youth unemployment, which is a major trigger for substance abuse, asked for logistics support for the two Commands in the state, setting up of drug control committees from state, to local government and community levels as well as provision of rehabilitation centres in each of the three senatorial zones of the state.

He commended the governor for his good works within a short time in office and his commitment to the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state.

In his response, Oborevwori celebrated Marwa for always providing quality leadership and unflinching dedication to duty in all national assignments assigned to him.

According to him, “We know your antecedents as military governor in Borno and Lagos state. And under your leadership, NDLEA has recorded successes, going after drug cartels. This momentum must be sustained if we have to win the war against illicit drugs.”
While saying the drug scourge has become a public health issue globally and in Nigeria, which needs urgent and proactive actions, the governor assured the agency of his support and partnership to rid the state of the menace. He thanked Marwa for showing empathy and prompt response to the July fatal incident. The governor said “Nigerians are appreciative of what you’re doing in NDLEA, please don’t relent and don’t be discouraged. Those involved in the illicit drug business must be dealt with.”

The NDLEA had earlier in a separate meeting with chairmen of local government councils in the state sought their support and collaboration as the agency was preparing to deploy personnel to LGs across the country beginning from the first quarter of 2024. He urged them to set up drug control committees in their councils and down to communities and wards for the purpose of cascading war against drug abuse, WADA, advocacy messages to the grassroots.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Chairman of Ughelli South local council, Dr. Koffi Richard told the NDLEA boss “we’ll give you any level of support at the LGs because you’re someone we’ve been looking up to for years. We’re willing to collaborate with you and your officers because we want peace and security in our respective LGs.”

In another meeting with the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien and other traditional rulers and chiefs in his palace, Marwa urged them to set up drug control committees in their domains while asking for their partnership in the fight against illicit drugs. The respected monarch assured the NDLEA chairman of the readiness of the traditional institution to support his efforts because “the subject matter of your visit is of great importance to us and Nigeria as a whole.”

The NDLEA boss and his team also visited the home of Mr. Fidelis Omhonrina where he again assured the family of continued support over the death of Ivan and the plan to fly Eromosele abroad for further treatment. The family expressed appreciation for the visit and support.
End

Oborevwori, Marwa say Nigerians must rise in unison to defeat drug scourge

News

Gunman kills four in Benue village attack

Published

on

Gunman kills four in Benue village attack

By Zagazola Makama

Atleast four persons were killed during a deadly attack by an armed militia in Afia, Ukum Local Government Area of the state.

Zagazola Makama was informed by intelligence sources that la suspected Tiv militia, popularly known as “Government,” allegedly armed with an AK-47 rifle, stormed his native village and began shooting at residents, moving from one village to another and killing victims at sight.

Troops of the Nigerian army in collaboration with the combined team of 40 operatives from Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Anyam Nyor, support units were immediately deployed to the area to track down the suspect.

Despite the heavy deployment, the suspect reportedly fled the scene and remains at large as of the time of filing this report.

“Efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspect have so far proved abortive, but the search operation is still ongoing,” intelligence sources said.

Security sources confirmed that four villagers lost their lives in the attack, and an investigation has been launched to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

Security forces have assured residents of Ukum and surrounding communities of intensified patrols and enhanced security to forestall further attacks.

Gunman kills four in Benue village attack

Continue Reading

News

Police confirmed another killing of livestock, missing herder in Plateau

Published

on

Police confirmed another killing of livestock, missing herder in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the killing of livestock and the disappearance of a herder following a suspected attack in the Shen Mountain area of the state.

A Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the command received a report around 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday that at about 2:30 a.m., a group of persons believed to be local residents allegedly attacked herders moving cattle through the area.

During the incident, two cows and three rams were reportedly killed, while one of the herders was declared missing.

The police sources said that upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer in Bukuru, Supol Bukuru, led a patrol team to the scene to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

He said that efforts are ongoing to locate the missing herder, while a full investigation has commenced to identify the perpetrators and prevent any escalation.

The command appealed to residents of the area to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies to maintain peace.

Police confirmed another killing of livestock, missing herder in Plateau

Continue Reading

News

Young woman found dead in suspected suicide at Life Camp Abuja construction site

Published

on

Young woman found dead in suspected suicide at Life Camp Abuja construction site

By: Zagazola Makama

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed the death of a young woman, suspected to have committed suicide, at a construction site in CITEC Estate, Life Camp.

Police sources said it received a report from the Chief Security Officer (CSO) at CITEC Estate, the body of the woman was discovered hanging from a container at the site around 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Following the report, police detectives were immediately dispatched to the scene. Photographs of the body were taken, and there were no visible signs of violence on the deceased.

The body was subsequently transported to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi, where she was confirmed dead by the attending medical doctor. The corpse has been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

The source said that Police also recovered a mobile phone from the woman’s pocket, although it was password-protected.

Authorities have launched an investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding her death.

Young woman found dead in suspected suicide at Life Camp Abuja construction site

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights