News
Physically Challenged Man Arrested Selling Drug on Wheelchair

Physically Challenged Man Arrested Selling Drug on Wheelchair
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested an alleged notorious drug dealer, 45-year-old Godwin Emuneyin, who is physically challenged and accused of using his wheelchair as cover to deal in illicit substances such as methamphetamine and cannabis in Afuze, headquarters of Owan East local government area of Edo state.
The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday said the suspect was arrested last Tuesday at his base in Afuze following credible intelligence. He said as at the time of his arrest, a wooden box used to conceal illicit substances including 18 pinches of methamphetamine, one block and 71 wraps of cannabis, were recovered from him.
Babafemi said in other interdiction operations in Edo state, NDLEA operatives last Monday recovered 42 bags of cannabis weighing 480 kilogrammes from a camp in Aviosi forest in Owan West local government area while the Utese forest in Ovia North East local government area was also raided same day with 231.5 kilogrammes of the substance recovered and a cannabis farm measuring 0.778960 hectare destroyed.
In Adamawa state, operatives on patrol along Ngurore-Yola road last Thursday
intercepted a Toyota Corolla car marked TZG 97 KY loaded with 30,899 tramadol 225mg and 100mg pills concealed inside the body compartments of the car. The driver found in possession of the drug exhibits, Sani Samaila (a.k.a Isa Male),25, said he was bringing the consignment from Jalingo, Taraba State to deliver in Yola, Adamawa State.
He noted that the previous day, a suspect, Abdullahi Sani (a.k.a Danfulani) was arrested at Ngurore town in possession of some quantity of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa in a white nylon. He thereafter led operatives on a follow up operation to the home of a drug lord, Alhaji Bubakari (a.k.a Dan Mamuda), an ex-convict, where 19 blocks of compressed cannabis that weighed 13 kilogrammes were recovered.
In Ogun state, not less than 18.875 tons of cannabis sativa on 7.55 hectares farmland were destroyed and another 100 jumbo bags weighing 1,100 kilograms of the psychoactive substance recovered at James town, Ogunmakin area of Obafemi Owode local government area last Monday, by a combined team of NDLEA operatives with officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Defence Intelligence Agency and the State Security Network, Amotekun. He said Okpor Chukwuma and six other male suspects found on the farmland were arrested.
He said a commercial bus driver, Olayinka Sowo, 25, was arrested last Friday along Ibadan – Akure expressway over alleged conspiracy to transport 45.15 kilogrammes cannabis from Lagos to Osun state, adding that NDLEA officers in Abuja on same day intercepted 7, 980 pills of diazepam and 567 bottles of codeine syrup in a commercial bus along Abaji-Abuja highway after which a follow up operation at Zuba motor park led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment, Ugwu Ikenna, 30.
In Delta state, NDLEA operatives backed by men of the Nigerian Army stormed a remote forest in Umuchime community, Ndokwa West local government area where they destroyed 12.5 tons of cannabis on five hectares of farmland, and recovered 53.22 kilogrammes processed weeds and seeds of the substance. A suspect, Christopher Anim (alias Ogidi) was also arrested in the course of the operation. Two suspects: Amarachukwu Eugene, 32, and Abdulaziz Auwal, 25, were arrested in another operation by operatives in Kano with 202 blocks of cannabis weighing 113.1 kilogrammes last Tuesday.
In continuation of awareness on dangers of illicit drugs, NDLEA Commands across the country intensified their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy lectures. These include: Sensitisation lecture for students of Government Commercial Secondary School, Wudil, Kano state; WADA advocacy visit to Zamfara state governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal in Gusau; WADA sensitisation lecture for students of George Burton Memorial School, Ilesa, Osun state and similar lecture delivered at Kenneth Dike Secondary School, Awka, Anambra state, among others.
Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of the Edo, Ogun, Osun, Adamawa, Delta, and FCT Commands of the agency for their balanced efforts in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) equally applauded their counterparts across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures thus creating parity between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities.
End
News
NUJ Makes case for a Media Enhancement Bill coupled with Health Insurance for Journalists

NUJ Makes case for a Media Enhancement Bill coupled with Health Insurance for Journalists
By: Bodunrin kayode
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has perfected plans for the passage of a “Media Enhancement Bill” aimed at improving welfare packages and working conditions for journalists across the country.
NUJ President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, stated this recently during a “veteran journalists interactive forum” in Kano, organised by the NUJ Kano State Council in collaboration with the State Ministry for Information and Internal Affairs.
Yahaya noted that the proposed bill, which is already attracting sponsorship from members of the House of Representatives, would address poor remuneration in the profession and provide a legal framework for better welfare.
“We blow other people’s trumpets but not ours. It is time we stood firm and work collectively to ensure the bill is passed.” Said the President.
He also called for the introduction of a practicable health insurance for journalists, revealing that less than one per cent currently have coverage in the country.
According to him, with an annual premium of N15,000 under the State health insurance scheme, journalists could access healthcare at all levels, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and promoting universal health coverage.
Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiya, pointed out that the state had implemented wide-ranging reforms to strengthen media capacity, enhance transparency, and improve communication between government and citizens.
He highlighted the revival of in-house publications, rehabilitation of the ministry’s library, and stronger relations with media executives, political commentators, and civil society groups.
Also speaking former NUJ National President, Malam Sani Zoro, cautioned against misinformation and misuse of artificial intelligence, urging the union to adopt global best practices and invest in professional training.
Stakeholders at the dialogue commended Kano State for being widely regarded as Nigeria’s most media-friendly state, citing significant investments in journalism infrastructure, human capital development, and the clearance of pension arrears for retired journalists.
They recommended quarterly dialogues, mentorship programmes by veteran journalists, and continuous capacity-building to boost professionalism.
The interactive session brought together veteran journalists, academics, and media practitioners to address ethical standards and strengthen public trust in the media.
NUJ Makes case for a Media Enhancement Bill coupled with Health Insurance for Journalists
News
Maiduguri Residents Panic as Transformer in the City’s Electricity Gas Plant explodes

Maiduguri Residents Panic as Transformer in the City’s Electricity Gas Plant explodes
By: Bodunrin Kayode
There was mild drama in the city of Maiduguri recently as residents expressed worries at a sudden build up of security around the bolori electricity gas plant on baga road.
The route in front of the plant which is usually motorable from the down side of Baga road to western was suddenly closed to commuters until the wee hours of tuesday night.
The entire traffic to the centre of the city was moved to the other lane which takes traffic from Western back to Baga road until the wee hours of the night.
While commuters moved around in hushed tones thinking there was Intel that the plant was under threat, others continued their normal lives as if nothing happened.
Very late in the night security sources hinted that it was not necessarily a major threat but a preventive move by the military to avert panic in the city when one of the transformers blew up towards the end of yesterday.
“There was a fire outbreak at one of the transformers in the gas plant. But the fire was doused around 1800hrs. The troops deployed at the plant maintained an active posture to deter anyone that might take advantage of the situation.”
However in spite of the temporary set back in one of the transformers, electricity supply into the city has been consistent throughout the week.
Maiduguri Residents Panic as Transformer in the City’s Electricity Gas Plant explodes
News
Why banditry may be returning to Kaduna exposes flaws in state government’s peace process

Why banditry may be returning to Kaduna exposes flaws in state government’s peace process
By: Zagazola Makama
The fragile peace in Kaduna State is once again under severe threat as banditry resurfaces along critical highways and rural communities, reviving old concerns over the sincerity and effectiveness of the state government’s amnesty programme.
The killing of Musa Kachallah, a repentant bandit leader who had renounced crime and embraced peace, has once again drawn attention to the uncertain security condition in Kaduna State.
Kachallah, once feared across parts of Chikun Local Government Area, had turned his back on violence, committing himself to community reconciliation. Respected by villagers in Tsohon Gaya for his peace efforts, he became a visible symbol of transformation. His assassination on Aug. 3, however, shattered that image and reignited fears that peace in Kaduna may only be skin-deep.
According to security and community sources, the killing was as calculated as it was cruel. At about 1023 hours on the fateful day, a group of bandits arrived at Kachallah’s residence disguised as friendly visitors. In keeping with local tradition, he welcomed them, offering food and pleasantries. But when night fell, their intentions became clear. At about 1145 hours, sporadic gunshots erupted, sending commotion across the settlement. By the time security personnel arrived, the assailants had disappeared into the surrounding bush.
Among those present during the attack was Shayibu Madugo, a known associate of another bandit figure, Gurgu. One of the assailants, identified as Mallau, was also injured and is reportedly receiving treatment at a secret medical location. Kachallah’s remains were laid to rest the following morning at 1005 hours on Aug. 4, in line with Islamic rites.
The killing goes beyond one man’s death. For months, Kachallah had worked to dissuade youths from taking up arms, urging them to abandon kidnapping and cattle rustling. Residents say he was genuine in his repentance, often standing as a mediator in local disputes.
Now, his silencing has not only discouraged others who might have considered laying down their weapons but also emboldened hardline factions opposed to peace.
It is believed that the killing has inspired retaliatory violence from bandit groups, especially those who perceive the state’s amnesty as insincere or biased. Already, since the killing, security reports indicated that bandits have intensified activities around Chikun, Kauru, Giwa, Makarfi on the Zaria–Kano highway, and Kajuru Local Government Areas and most recently the Abuja–Kaduna road, where a journalist was kidnapped on Friday. Already the authorities have stepped up daily patrol efforts at the Rigasa station line amid suspected security threats.
The resurgence of these pockets of attacks threatens the steady peace that was recorded within the past months in Kaduna, a once epicentre of kidnapping-for-ransom in Nigeria.
Despite these troubling developments, many security stakeholders and residents accuse the state government of complacency. Governor Uba Sani’s much-publicised “Kaduna Model” of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration has been described as a charade, lacking structure, transparency, and credibility.
Unlike amnesty programmes in other volatile regions, Kaduna’s initiative has been criticised for its lack of coordination, strategic framework, absence of community participation, and failure to provide genuine rehabilitation for repentant fighters. While the governor publicly received “repentant bandits” earlier this year and promised international-standard reintegration, there is little on the ground to suggest any concrete plan.
Security sources note that there were no individual risk assessments to differentiate hardened commanders from coerced foot soldiers. No verifiable rehabilitation or livelihood programmes were implemented. No sustainable monitoring structure was set up to ensure compliance. Worst of it, no disarmament programmes was set up to receive arms from the bandits, in most cases, they come without their weapons and go back to their enclaves after every engagement. The programme appeared to have been driven by political optics rather than strategic intent. The killing of Kachallah has now exposed these gaps, with many bandits perceiving the process as betrayal rather than reconciliation.
On the ground, it is the Nigerian Army troops under 1 Division, NAF, the Police with critical support from the DSS that have held the line in places like Birnin Gwari and Chikun, and other part of the state, neutralizing armed groups and securing major corridors. But the military alone cannot guarantee lasting peace without political leadership and state-level initiatives.
Police formations, for instance, remain under-equipped, with most of their patrol vehicles grounded. Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) are unavailable, leaving major entry points into Kaduna unprotected. Despite persistent requests, the state government has not provided critical logistics to complement security operations.
Multiple sources allege that Governor Uba Sani rarely convenes security meetings or reads situation reports. Unlike his counterparts in North Western Niger, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi or Borno in the North East, who are known for prioritising security and directly engaging with security agencies, Sani is accused of disengagement and indifference.
According to the sources, the governor hardly picks calls, responds to urgent messages, or visits attack scenes or victims and their families. His most visible involvement in security matters has been receiving rescued victims handed over by the Office of the National Security Adviser, a role seen more as ceremonial than operational. Besides, Governor Uba Sani mostly operates his state from Abuja.
This disconnect has widened the gap between the state government and frontline security agencies. It has also eroded public trust, leaving rural communities to question whether the state truly has a strategy for peace.
Kaduna’s worsening security point to the collapse of the so-called amnesty programme and the absence of strong political leadership. The failure to build a credible framework for dialogue, reintegration, and rehabilitation has emboldened bandits who now see the state as weak and divided.
The bitter reality is that, while the military and other security agencies continues to make sacrifices to hold the line, the Kaduna State Government has failed to complement these efforts. Peace is fragile, and with bandits regaining confidence, the state risks sliding back into the dark years of mass abductions and rural terror.
The assassination has reopened old wounds. It has exposed once more that peace in the state rests not on a solid foundation, but on fragile promises and the overstretched efforts of security forces.
Unless the state government takes security issues beyond rhetoric by complementing security agencies to stamp out banditry, the region could again descend into unchecked violence.
The question is no longer whether the government’s amnesty will work, but whether Governor Uba Sani truly cares enough to take ownership of the security in his state.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region
Why banditry may be returning to Kaduna exposes flaws in state government’s peace process
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