Joint Military-NDLEA Operation Seizes 2.5 tonnes of Illicit Substances Bound for Terrorist Groups

By: Zagazola Makama

A joint operation between the troops of 21 Armored Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted a large consignment of illicit substances destined for Boko Haram Terrorists in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that acting on intelligence, the joint team launched a swift and decisive operation to disrupt the supply of illicit substances to the terrorist groups.

The operation, which was carried out following a tip-off, resulted in the recovery of 163 bags of the substance, equivalent to 2.5 tons in a warehouse in Konduga.

The suspected illicit substances, known as “Goom” or “Akusukura”, is a deadly psychoactive substance that represents a serious threat to public health and poses a challenge for drug policy.

The substance, which is of different varieties, is used in both liquid and powdered form by people who mostly seek to raise their levels of psychological or nervous activity in the body, or put it in simple terms, get high.

The recovered items were handed over to the NDLEA team leader, and the area was cordoned off by the military.

The operation highlights the effectiveness of interagency collaboration and the commitment of the military and NDLEA to keeping Nigeria safe.

Joint Military-NDLEA Operation Seizes 2.5 tonnes of Illicit Substances Bound for Terrorist Groups

Police Commissioner express displeasure over farmer, herders clash in Yobe

By: Our Reporter

The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, has expressed displeasure over the recent incidents of farmland disputes and farmer/herder clashes in the state. The command recorded 14 incidents during the period under review, resulting in loss of lives and several hospitalizations.

A statement from DSP Dungus Abdul Karim said the Commissioner of Police calls for a reassessment of how farmlands are allocated to farmers by local authorities, especially as the farming season approaches. The command is currently investigating an incident that claimed one life and left several others hospitalized. Suspects allegedly claim trespass and unlawful cultivation and resort to illegal and arbitrary means to evict intruders.

“On July 1, 2024, personnel from the Nangere Divisional Police Headquarters apprehended Mohammed Bulama (aka Mai Zarma), 65, the Village Head of Gazarkuma Village, Nangere LGA. He mobilized a gang of youth with deadly objects, including knives, cutlasses, bows, and arrows, and attacked a farmland belonging to Maigari Mato 65, at Gubate Village The attack resulted in the death of a tractor driver, Mohammed Kabiru, 35, and grievous injuries to Hassan Lawan.” The statement said.

In a similar vein, on June 26, 2024, at about 1600hr, police in Damagum arrested Abduwahab Abubakar, 40, and four other suspects for conspiring and attacking Hussaini Lawan Sani, 45, of Goba Abba Village. The assailants, carrying dangerous objects, attacked and robbed the victim of N250,000.00. The suspects are currently behind bars, and a discreet investigation is ongoing at the State CID.

“The recurring incidents are attributed to a lack of early reporting of aggressive trespass, previous unsettled disputes, and informal arrangements in allocating farmlands. Criminally minded community members are taking the law into their hands for ulterior motives. The command will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute culprits.” The statement added.

The Commissioner of Police further urges local authorities to address issues of farmland disputes and farmer/herder clashes by organizing seasonal community engagement to facilitate a long-lasting, peaceful partnership between farmers and herders. The command is equally committed to addressing agro-related conflict issues through designed programs for parties at various LGAs.

The Divisional Police Headquarters are directed to:

Encourage early referral of disputes

• Organize monthly community engagement of farm owners and herders
• Ensure robust surveillance on mischievous elements

He reiterated that mob action is a crime, and individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court. Any assault on a person suspected of committing a crime or being arrested after committing a crime is a violation of human rights. He appreciates the public’s cooperation and urges them to continue reporting incidents to the authorities.

Police Commissioner express displeasure over farmer, herders clash in Yobe

NDLEA, Military to Strengthen Synergy on Drug War

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian military has promised to strengthen its synergy with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to curtail the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

The assurance was given on Monday by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Gusau when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) at the agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja.

Marwa, in his remarks, commended the Nigerian Armed Forces under the leadership of the CDS for their loyalty, sacrifices and hard work to keep the country safe. He also thanked the military for supporting the agency in terms of logistics and training.

The anti-narcotics czar while emphasizing the significance of the partnership between the military and the NDLEA, said substance abuse is at the root of crimes and criminalities across the country.

He said: “The criminal elements rely on drugs to carry out their criminalities and that is why we have been very ferocious in our offensive action against them to cut access and availability of these illicit drugs.

“As a result, in about three years we have arrested 42,105 drug offenders, including 46 barons; seized 7,500 tons of drugs; 1,057 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed and 8, 350 offenders convicted while 29,400 drug users have been counselled and rehabilitated within the same period.”

He therefore urged the armed forces to consider constructing central rehabilitation centre and creating rehab facilities in existing military hospitals to attend to the treatment of their personnel that may have issues of substance abuse.

Speaking earlier, the CDS commended Marwa and his management team for the great turn around on the drug war, which has positively changed the negative perception about Nigeria in the international community.

He assured of the continued support of the armed forces to NDLEA in its renewed fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. He said the Agency’s efforts have motivated the military to introduce drug test as a requirement for training and promotion in the armed forces.

He said the nexus between drug abuse and insecurity cannot be over-emphasized, adding that if the nation is able to curb the scourge of substance abuse, the current security challenges would have been drastically reduced. He also said the menace must be tackled holistically while promising to consider the suggestion by the NDLEA boss for the military to have its own central rehabilitation centre.

The CDS said: “We know the challenges of drugs and how the use of illicit drugs has affected Nigeria’s name. And when Nigeria is mentioned abroad, everybody thinks about drugs, but you and your team have turned that around, at least now, people have seen that sense of sincerity in addressing the drug issue in Nigeria. We know it is not easy, because a lot of people have benefited so much from it and they will do anything to sustain their illicit businesses.

“I want to assure you that the members of Nigerian Armed Forces are fully behind you. We are proud of you and what you have been achieving and we will continue to support you until the menace of drugs is totally eliminated in the country. We know the influence of drug use and what it has done to us, creating a lot of issues all over the country, which is very alarming.
“Drug use has slipped into so many places, and for members of the Armed Forces; we’re not excluded. Now we have introduced as part of our recruitment processes and for our people to go for courses, they must take drug test, because this will ensure that personnel of the Armed Forces are doing the right thing and are in the right frame of mind. So, we’ll continue to do that and continue to intensify our efforts.

“”We have seen the number of arrests being made and how the world over now has seen that Nigeria is taking positive measures to address this drug issue, this I think is highly commendable. Theatre Commanders in the North East have seen the effect of drugs. Ideally, some people that will not even be able to carry a knife, when they take drugs, they carry a GPMG. So, this tells you what drugs do, it gives you a lot of fake confidence and with usage over time they become addicted and when they become addicted it becomes dangerous to them and they become a danger to everyone close to them.”

NDLEA, Military to Strengthen Synergy on Drug War