Marwa Tasks NDLEA Officers to Remain Resolute in Fight Against Drug Scourge

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has charged officers and men of the agency to remain resolute and steadfast in the ongoing war against illicit drug trafficking and dealers.

Marwa gave the charge on Saturday while commissioning blocks of terrace flats accommodation newly constructed for personnel of the Zonal Command, Kano, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Command, and officers of the Strike Force Team of the agency deployed to Kano as well as a rehabilitation facility.

He said the commissioning stands as yet another testimony to President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of security personnel including NDLEA. “We are acutely aware that the effectiveness of our officers hinges not merely upon their training and tools, but also upon the quality of their living conditions. A secure and decent home front empowers the spirit, sharpens the mind, and steels the resolve of those tasked with the solemn duty of safeguarding our society from the scourge of illicit drugs”, he noted.

Marwa, while recalling that the first ever NDLEA barrack in its 35-year history was commissioned in Yola, Adamawa state in February, disclosed that the agency has just completed another barrack in Abuja, which is due for commissioning by President Bola Tinubu, adding that similar projects are at various stages of completion in Enugu and Lagos.

He justified the provision of decent accommodation for the agency’s workforce. “These structures we commission today are not mere edifices of brick and mortar; they are symbols of peace, assurance, and respect. They reflect the value we place on our officers and an affirmation of our enduring pledge to uplift their standard of living. The challenges we face in this noble task are immense. The war against drug abuse and trafficking is not for the faint-hearted—it demands unyielding courage, iron discipline, and a resolute sense of purpose. With improved living conditions, our officers are fortified—physically, mentally, and emotionally—to bear the burden of this vital mission.”

He acknowledged the sacrifices being made daily by NDLEA officers to rid the country of illicit drugs and urged them to continue to stand up to the challenge of the drug menace. “I wish to sincerely acknowledge and commend the dedication and hard work of all NDLEA officers serving in Kano. The records of arrests, seizures, and convictions over the past twelve months—both in quantity and quality—have been impressive.

He said as a state with an international border and an international airport, the importance of securing Kano against drug trafficking cannot be overstated. “Therefore, NDLEA officers in this territory must continue to rise to the challenge. While we applaud the performance so far, we also look forward to even greater results in the future.”

He urged personnel who will inhabit the buildings to treat the facilities with care and discipline, adding that the commissioning is a notable milestone in the determined march toward a more resilient, people-focused, and mission-driven NDLEA. “Let us, together, continue to build an institution that stands for excellence, inspires loyalty, and never ceases to support its personnel.”

The NDLEA boss thanked President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast support for the agency. “Our gratitude equally extends to the many stakeholders who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us in the pursuit of our constitutional mandate”, he added.
He seized the opportunity to decorate the Zonal Commander, Zone 5 Command of the Agency, Maryam Gambo Sani with her new rank of Deputy Commander General of Narcotics, DCGN.

Marwa Tasks NDLEA Officers to Remain Resolute in Fight Against Drug Scourge

RE: MISCHIEVOUS REPORT ON ACCESS TO THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA BY VICE PRESIDENT KASHIM SHETTIMA, GCON

By: Our Reporter

In recent times, there has been deliberate and well-planned orchestration of falsehood against the vice president’s person and office in many multidimensional forms. These mischievous and totally fabricated reports are all in a bid to cause confusion and insinuate total clash in the Presidency. These reports seek to mislead the public into believing there’s discord at the highest levels of government.

The latest in this string of disinformation is a report claiming that the Vice President has been refused entry to the Villa. This is a feeble attempt to traduce the person and office of His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON. For the record, NOTHING OF THE SORT EVER HAPPENED.

The recent publication by some obscure blogs alleging that armed military units have barricaded the Vice President from accessing the Presidential Villa is not only the wildest expression of wishful thinking but a clear indication that the purveyors of these tales have exhausted both ink and imagination. It is a story so far removed from reality that it can only be entertained by those unfamiliar with the inner workings of the Nigerian government.

Earlier this week, the Presidency dismissed similar fake news regarding responsibility for the circulation of campaign posters bearing the images of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. These stories reflect a desperate attempt to undermine the President and his Deputy’s fidelity to the rule of law and our constitution. Let it be known that those pushing these falsehoods do so in vain.

It is understandable, though regrettable, that the mischief-makers continue to underestimate the strength of the bond and goodwill between the President and the Vice President. However, their questionable sources or habitual reliance on misinformation have once again led them astray. These fairy tales they publish serve no purpose beyond mischief and distraction.

The Vice President remains focused on his duties and on supporting the President in achieving the aspirations of Nigerians. He does not have the luxury of time for distractions, particularly those born of the imagination of individuals intent on creating smoke where there is no fire. He’s not and will never partake in their media circus. It is a futile pursuit, even by the standards of the morally indifferent.

We commend Nigerians across all divides who continue to express goodwill towards this administration and who have taken it upon themselves to fight the spread of fake news. Your trust and support are deeply appreciated. The covenant between this government and the citizens of Nigeria was made possible through a legitimate and constitutional process. No amount of falsehood or manufactured tension can shake the foundation of that democratic mandate. Not under the watch of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

We encourage the public to disregard such malicious publications and the media to continue seeking information from credible sources and to approach sensational claims with the caution they deserve. This we owe ourselves collectively as a nation.

RE: MISCHIEVOUS REPORT ON ACCESS TO THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA BY VICE PRESIDENT KASHIM SHETTIMA, GCON

FG Urges Ethiopia to Expedite Action on Sentenced Persons Agreement

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has moved to secure the release of some Nigerians in prison in Ethiopia, urging the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia not to further delay the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Exchange of Sentenced Persons between both countries.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated the country’s position at a meeting in Abuja with the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, Legesse Geremew Haile.

The minister while expressing the Federal Government’s displeasure over the spate of embarrassment and harassment suffered by Nigerians including those with Official and Diplomatic Passports in Addis Ababa,
reminded the Ethiopian Ambassador that the Nigeria side had concluded with reflection of the Ethiopian observations in the draft MOU on Exchange of Sentenced Persons between both countries and wondered why signing of the MOU was being delayed despite assurances at their meeting of March 6, 2025.

The minister highlighted with deep concern the plight of Nigerian inmates in Ethiopia who she said were not having access to medical care among other challenges. She also noted the overwhelming challenges this posed to the Ethiopian Government.

She expressed dismay that a Nigerian recently died in Ethiopian prison, and declared that as a government deeply committed to citizen diplomacy, the federal government would not want a repeat of such ugly incident.

She said: “Our people don’t want to hear that another Nigerian inmate died in Ethiopian prison.”

Odumegwu-Ojukwu further decried the continued delay in returning monies seized from Nigerian businessmen by the Ethiopian Government even after the country’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, had at the 40th Session of the Executive Council of the African Union held in February 2022, granted amnesty to all African travellers whose monies were seized at the Bole International Airport, due to non-declaration of the amount over and above three thousand US Dollars, as provided by then Ethiopian law.

She regretted that of the 25 Nigerians whose monies were seized as at the time, only 15 had been approved for refund, due to the stringent condition put by the Ethiopian side for the refunds. Even at that, only two persons had actually been refunded their seized money.

The minister cited the pathetic case of one Mr. Francis Chukwuma Uzoh whose US$70,000 was seized by the Ethiopian authorities. She bemoaned that despite meeting all the conditions, Francis was yet to be refunded since 2022.

She noted that Mr. Francis has become desolate, homeless, abandoned by family, hugely indebted and a shadow of his former self.

The minister, therefore, urged the Ethiopian envoy to press for a last chance for the Ethiopian Government to refund Mr. Francis his $70,000 while he is still alive, “so they don’t use the money to bury him when he has gone.”

She recalled that visa waiver for holders of Official and Diplomatic Passports was tied to the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) signed by the two countries.

She decried that going by what Nigerians faced at Addis Ababa, it seems that Ethiopia of unilaterally withdrawing from the MoU without notifying Nigeria.

According to her, it is of great concern because Addis is a hub and many Nigerians have adopted Ethiopian Airline as the airline of choice.

Meanwhile, she reiterated the nation’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ethiopia, assuring that the 4th Session of Nigeria-Ethiopia Joint Commission would soon hold in Abuja.

Responding, the Ethiopian Ambassador, said that the visa waiver agreement was still in place but needed ratification by the country’s House of Representatives.

Haile said that the Embassy had issued visas to Nigerians with official and diplomatic passports, pointing out that the problem is actually when the applicant is with the regular passport.

He said: “The visa on arrival has neither been withdrawn nor abrogated,” stressing that: “We are very close to Nigeria. The Ethiopian Government views the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a very strategic partner.”

He also thanked the Nigerian Government for the additional seven slots recently approved for the Ethiopian Airline on the Lagos route.

FG Urges Ethiopia to Expedite Action on Sentenced Persons Agreement