NANS Throws Weight Behind NDLEA Drug War, Endorses Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

By: Michael Mike

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared full support for Nigeria’s intensifying war against substance abuse, aligning with the efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat the growing threat of illicit drug use among young people.

The position was made known when NANS leaders, led by their National President, Sola Oladoja, paid a strategic visit to the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Marwa at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja.

In a meeting that underscored rising concerns over drug abuse in tertiary institutions, the student leaders commended the NDLEA’s sustained crackdown on drug trafficking networks and its preventive campaigns targeting campuses.

Oladoja described the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative as a transformative intervention that has significantly increased awareness among students about the dangers of substance misuse.

He said the association’s support for the NDLEA is rooted in a shared responsibility to safeguard the future of Nigerian youths, noting that drug abuse continues to threaten academic performance, mental health, and societal stability.

The NANS leadership also used the occasion to reaffirm its backing of President Bola Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda, pointing to policies they believe have directly impacted students and young people. Oladoja cited the rollout of the student loan scheme, improved stability in the academic calendar following the resolution of strikes, and expanded youth-focused programmes as evidence of the administration’s commitment.

According to him, these measures have strengthened confidence among students in the current government and informed their willingness to support its continuity beyond the current term.

Responding, Marwa welcomed the endorsement, describing Nigerian students as a critical constituency in the national effort to curb drug abuse. He noted that meaningful progress in the anti-drug campaign would require active collaboration with young people, particularly those in higher institutions where vulnerability to substance use remains high.

Marwa warned that drug abuse poses far-reaching consequences, from deteriorating health and disrupted education to increased crime and long-term social instability. He called on student leaders to take ownership of the campaign within their campuses by promoting awareness and discouraging peer influence toward drug use.

Addressing concerns over the Federal Government’s newly introduced drug integrity test policy for students, the NDLEA boss clarified that the initiative is not designed to punish but to protect. He explained that early identification of drug use allows for timely counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation, thereby preventing long-term damage.

The engagement ended with both NANS and NDLEA agreeing to deepen collaboration, signalling a more coordinated approach to tackling substance abuse within Nigeria’s academic environment.

NANS Throws Weight Behind NDLEA Drug War, Endorses Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

Troops Recover 225 Rustled Cattle, Repel Bandits in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have recovered no fewer than 225 rustled cattle after engaging suspected bandits in Katsina State.

Security sources told Zagazola that the operation was carried out at about 8:00 a.m. on April 20 by troops of 17 Brigade following credible intelligence on the movement of a notorious bandit leader, identified as Muhammad Filani, and his group.

The sources said the suspects were tracked to Kauri village in Kankia Local Government Area, where troops made contact and engaged them in a firefight.

“Upon contact, the troops engaged the bandits effectively, forcing them to flee and abandon the rustled cattle,” the source said.

The troops subsequently recovered a total of 225 cattle, which were handed over to relevant local authorities for identification and return to their rightful owners.

Military authorities noted that the operation has dealt a significant blow to cattle rustling networks operating within the area.

They added that troops have sustained aggressive patrols and intelligence-driven operations to deny bandits freedom of action across the state.

Meanwhile, under Operation Savannah Shield, troops continued offensive operations and routine security activities within their areas of responsibility.

Sources, however, confirmed that there was no major incident recorded during the period under review.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property while intensifying efforts to combat banditry and related crimes in the North West.

Troops Recover 225 Rustled Cattle, Repel Bandits in Katsina

Military Airstrikes Neutralise Over 30 ISWAP Terrorists in Lake Chad Axis

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian military under Operation HADIN KAI has successfully neutralised over 30 terrorists belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in a series of precision air interdiction missions conducted in the Lake Chad region of Borno state.

Sources disclosed that the operation was executed following credible Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) inputs indicating significant terrorist activity involving logistics movement via waterways around the Kaniram Island axis.

An ISR platform, was deployed to the general area where it established overhead presence and confirmed the sighting of approximately 31 boats dispersed along the riverbank, with associated human activity consistent with ISWAP fighters.

Upon positive identification, the Air Component initiated precision strike operations in line with established Rules of Engagement and targeting protocols.

The first strike effectively disrupted the hub of terrorists and degraded their logistics capability by damaging several of the boats used for movement and supply across the waterways.

Further ISR monitoring revealed attempts by the terrorists to regroup within nearby vegetation. Consequently, follow-on strikes were conducted.

A second precision strike targeted a cluster of about eight terrorists, neutralising them, while additional elements were observed withdrawing into concealed positions.

Subsequently, a third strike was executed on another group of approximately 15 terrorists who had taken cover under tree foliage, resulting in their elimination. Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) confirmed significant attrition, with surviving elements seen dispersing from adjacent hideouts.

In a related strike mission at Sowolwolo, Military air assets engaged and neutralised nine additional terrorists identified within the area. Residual elements were observed fleeing in disarray, indicating loss of cohesion and command structure.

The Nigerian Military Command reiterated that the operation illustrated its sustained commitment to precision targeting, minimising collateral damage while maximising operational impact against terrorist elements.

Military further assured that ISR missions and offensive air operations will continue in coordination with ground forces to exploit the success achieved and deny terrorists freedom of action within the theatre.

The Service reaffirmed its resolve to sustain air superiority and contribute decisively to the restoration of peace and stability in the North East

Military Airstrikes Neutralise Over 30 ISWAP Terrorists in Lake Chad Axis