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State Governments Charge to Prioritize Fight Against Substance Abuse
State Governments Charge to Prioritize Fight Against Substance Abuse
By: Michael Mike
Major stakeholders including First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, as well as Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) have charged state governments to prioritise the fight against substance abuse in their strategic work plans for a safe and secure society.
The charge was given at the opening ceremony of a two-day training on Drug Prevention Treatment and Care, DPTC, organized by NDLEA for spouses of state governors in Abuja on Monday.
In her keynote address at the event, Senator Tinubu who was special guest of honour tasked the states to see the war against the drug menace as a collective effort.
The First Lady, who was represented by wife of the Inspector General of Police, Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun, commended Marwa and the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum for the initiative. She said: “I commend the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, under the leadership of His Excellency, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) CON, OFR, for organizing this vital training and for your ongoing efforts in combatting drug abuse in Nigeria. I equally commend the Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum, Her Excellency, Ambassador (Dr.) Olufolake Abdulrazaq for this significant collaboration.”
She said: “We must recognise that drug abuse is not just a law enforcement issue but a public health crisis that requires a compassionate and multi-faceted response. We must challenge the stigma and discrimination associated with addiction, and foster a culture of empathy, understanding and solidarity towards those struggling with substance use disorders.
“As mothers, we understand the profound impact that drug abuse can have on our children’s lives. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to protect, nurture, and guide them towards a future free from the shackles of addiction. As leaders in your respective states, you wield a unique platform to drive meaningful change. The role of Governors’ spouses in combating drug abuse cannot be overstated. Through advocacy, we can ensure access to prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services for those affected by addiction.
“However, our efforts must not end with this training. We must translate knowledge into action, collaborating with stakeholders such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, other government agencies, civil society organisations, healthcare providers, educators, and students. Together, we can implement evidence-based strategies for prevention, early intervention, and holistic treatment approaches.”
On his part, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, in his remarks commended the resourcefulness of the NDLEA leadership in utilising the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum to cascade the drug war into the grassroots and the community level.
He said: “The issue of drug use is not confined to any region or social strata, but affects every corner of our nation, and propagates crime and other criminalities across the world. The critical role of the attendees in shaping policies and practices in the communities is therefore recognized.”
The NDLEA boss in his remarks, said the devastating effects of substance abuse on public health, the environment and its nexus with the spate of insecurity faced across the country has made it mandatory for a whole-of -society approach to curb the scourge.
He said this has been the focus of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign emplaced by the NDLEA since 2021.
Marwa, while urging the governors’ wives to take advantage of their positions to mobilise support for drug prevention and treatment in their states, said: “Our Commanders and officers in your states are always available to work with you and the governors; please create the needed access for them so that they can serve you and the society better. Together, we can effect meaningful change and create healthier, safer communities for all. Your collective effort can become the biggest catalyst for the nation to triumph over the illicit drug challenge.”
He revealed that as part of efforts to curb cultivation and production of illicit drugs in Nigeria, the agency is adopting an alternative development plan that will encourage cannabis farmers switch to other licit crops.
He said: “I will also like to draw your attention to the devastating impact activities of drug cartels involved in illicit drug cultivation are causing humanity; that is deforestation, which results in environmental degradation. In search of a lasting solution, we are working to implement an alternative development plan. This will provide cannabis farmers with better options, like switching to other crops. I have recently set up an Alternative Development Unit in my office. We need you to make this reality and our alternative development plan one of your takeaways for the immediate consideration and support of our governors. We will keep you posted as we flesh out the plan on this, this year.”
He added that by joining forces and working collaboratively, “we can turn the tide against drug abuse and build a brighter, healthier future for generations to come. Together we can do it.”
The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, emphasised the pivotal role of first ladies in the fight against the scourge of substance abuse.
The minister assured of collaboration between his ministry and NDLEA in combatting substance abuse among students. He said: “The curriculum in schools has been updated to include the added spice of drug issues with the necessary knowledge to avoid drug use. Drug free clubs in federal unity colleges enable children to make healthier choices.”
Other speakers at the opening ceremony include: UNODC Country Representative Dr. Oliver Stolpe; Representative of European Union, Letizia Torretta and the Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, who all spoke in same light, calling for collective and collaborative efforts across society to curb the menace of drug abuse.
State Governments Charge to Prioritize Fight Against Substance Abuse
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NDLEA Arrests Ex-Lagos Councillor, Uncovers Drugs Hidden in Baby Diapers, Intercepts IED Components
NDLEA Arrests Ex-Lagos Councillor, Uncovers Drugs Hidden in Baby Diapers, Intercepts IED Components
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intensified their nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking, arresting a former Lagos councillor and uncovering a series of drug consignments concealed in unusual ways, including inside baby diapers, while also intercepting components suspected to be meant for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
In one of the most striking arrests, NDLEA officers apprehended Sheleru Sadiq Olalekan, a former two-term councillor in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, following intelligence linking him to illicit drug activities.
Olalekan, 45, who represented the Orimedu community during his tenure and currently serves as a legislative aide, was arrested on March 2 at his residence in Ilado, Ibeju-Lekki. A search of his home led to the discovery of 40 kilogrammes of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden in one of the rooms.
According to the agency, the suspect admitted ownership of both the drugs and the property where they were recovered.
In a separate operation in Abuja, NDLEA operatives intercepted a businessman, Emeka Okwor, 32, travelling from Obollo-Afor in Enugu State to Zuba in the Federal Capital Territory.
During a search of his luggage, officers discovered 1,000 pills of tapentadol 250mg concealed inside baby diapers. The suspect reportedly confessed that he was transporting the drugs to Guduwa village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, where he operates a provision store.
On the same day, NDLEA patrol officers along the Kabba–Obajana highway in Kogi State intercepted a consignment of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 1.55 kilogrammes, concealed inside a carton of a standing fan.
According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the drugs were traced to a 36-year-old Cameroonian national, Mey Ali Muhamat, who was travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Cameroon through Lokoja, Kano and Maiduguri.
In another security-related development, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Mokwa–Jebba road in Niger State intercepted a commercial bus transporting 500 components suspected to be used for improvised explosive devices.
The items were concealed in a white sack and were reportedly meant to be delivered to a recipient in Pelegi community. Babafemi said a swift follow-up operation led to the arrest of the alleged recipient, Osama Abdullahi, 21, in Mashegu Local Government Area.
The agency also recorded major drug seizures in other parts of the country. In Yola, Adamawa State, NDLEA officers uncovered 122,000 tramadol pills and 700 grammes of methamphetamine hidden in a false compartment of a truck carrying 2,000 cartons of local drinks.
In Kano State, a 20-year-old suspect, Muhammed Ali, was arrested at Gadar Tamburawa with 11,283 tramadol pills.
Similarly, operatives in Ogun State raided a drug hideout in Ogere, arresting Nazifi Mudansir and Kabiru Musa with 46 kilogrammes of skunk.
In Delta State, two suspects — Joy Chukwuma, 25, and Eugene Felix, 22 — were apprehended in Ogwashi-Uku with 18.63 kilogrammes of skunk, 10.8 litres of codeine-based syrup and 4,268 pills of tramadol and swinol.
A major cannabis cultivation site was also dismantled in Edo State, where NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Eke London, 48, and Austin Isusi, 49, at Egbisi forest in Uhumwonde Local Government Area and destroyed 1,910.25 kilogrammes of skunk on two farms.
Another suspect, Alaba Adeboye, 47, was arrested in Ikhin town, Owan East Local Government Area, with 176.5 kilogrammes of skunk.
Beyond enforcement operations, the agency said it continued to expand its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign in schools, religious centres and communities nationwide.
The outreach programmes included awareness lectures in several secondary schools across Oyo, Niger, Zamfara, Lagos, Sokoto, Ebonyi and Anambra states.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Maj. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.) commended officers across the Lagos, FCT, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Edo, Ogun, Delta and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures.
He urged them to sustain the agency’s balanced strategy of aggressive enforcement alongside public education aimed at reducing drug abuse and trafficking across the country.
NDLEA Arrests Ex-Lagos Councillor, Uncovers Drugs Hidden in Baby Diapers, Intercepts IED Components
Passenger stabbed to death after minor accident in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A minor road accident in Bayo Local Government Area of Borno on Saturday turned fatal after a passenger was allegedly stabbed to death during a dispute that followed the incident.
Sources said the incident occurred on March 7 at about 5:30 p.m. at Gamadadi involving a Golf vehicle and a motorcycle.
The Golf vehicle with registration number FUG 283 AE, Edo, driven by Danjuma Abdullahi of Kodom Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, was conveying five passengers from Biu to Gombe State when the accident occurred.
The motorcycle, a TVS model with registration number ABM 340 QA, Abuja, was ridden by Abdullahi Umar of Dadi Kowa and had two passengers identified as Abubakar Musa and Yahaya Ibrahim.
According to police, the motorcyclist attempted to overtake the vehicle from the passenger side but collided with it and fell.
As a result of the crash, the rider and one of the passengers, Abubakar Musa, sustained minor injuries.
However, in the aftermath of the accident, Yahaya Ibrahim, 30, allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed one of the vehicle passengers, Ahmed Mohammed, 27, of Tudun Wada Fantami in Gombe State, on the leg.
Police said the suspect also smashed the front windshield of the vehicle with a heavy stone.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Bayo led a patrol team to the scene where the victim was found in a pool of blood.
He was rushed to the Cottage Hospital in Hinna but was confirmed dead on arrival by a medical doctor.
The suspect has been arrested and the weapon used in the attack recovered as an exhibit.
Police said the corpse was photographed and later released to the victim’s family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
Passenger stabbed to death after minor accident in Borno
Troops repel bandit attack in Zamfara community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma, in collaboration with police tactical teams, have repelled a bandit attack on Yankaba Village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara.
Security sources said the incident occurred on March 7 at about 6:00 p.m. when suspected armed bandits stormed the community, shooting sporadically and causing panic among residents.
The sources said troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA along with other security agencies were swiftly deployed to engaged the terrorists in a gun battle.
According to the sources, the bandits were forced to retreat after encountering superior firepower from the troops. The attackers subsequently abandoned their mission and fled the area.
Troops have since intensified patrols and surveillance in the community to forestall further attacks.
The sources added that monitoring and security operations were ongoing in the area to ensure the safety of residents.
Troops repel bandit attack in Zamfara community
NDLEA Arrests Ex-Lagos Councillor, Uncovers Drugs Hidden in Baby Diapers, Intercepts IED Components
Passenger stabbed to death after minor accident in Borno
Troops repel bandit attack in Zamfara community
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