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UK Government Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Serious and Organised Crime
UK Government Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Serious and Organised Crime
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom Government has hosted a multi-stakeholder meeting in Abuja to discuss how its Serious & Organised Crime (SOC) Prevent Programme is making significant strides in deterring vulnerable young people from joining Organised Crime Groups in Nigeria.
Launched as a three-year pilot in December 2021, the programme is designed to disrupt Nigerian Organised Crime Groups by redirecting at-risk youth towards positive alternatives in Bayelsa, Edo, Zamfara and Lagos states.
In select local governments of these states, the SOC Prevent Programme has established robust structures and delivered various interventions, including Back-to-School Initiatives, Digital Skills Acquisition, Dance and Drama Workshops and Sports Interventions.
Collaborating closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the programme has trained 83 officers in the Prevent methodology, reinforcing the commitment to institutionalise this approach in tackling SOC, and to date, approximately 1,500 beneficiaries across the four states have been diverted from potential involvement in organised crime.
Speaking at the meeting, the Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever said: “Serious & Organised Crime is a priority for both Nigeria and the UK, and can take many forms. Ranging from online focussed activities like cybercrime to the physical movement of illicit commodities and people in the form of trafficking.
“Our results in Nigeria have proven that the Prevent methodology works, and it has been successful in diverting young people from choosing a life of crime. I believe that the valuable discussions that took place today will smoothen the way for Prevent to be fully institutionalised in Nigeria.”
The meeting included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Police Affairs, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), INTERPOL, Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), Ministry of Police Affairs, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and others.
The Prevent programme is an approach to tackling SOC. Others are Pursue, Protect and Prepare. Prevent methodology looks to prevent or deter people from engaging in SOC by raising awareness of the consequences of SOC and developing techniques to deter people from continuing in criminality.
UK Government Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Serious and Organised Crime
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Edo During Search Operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, local vigilantes and hunters, have rescued a kidnapped civilian in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Security sources said the troops, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Udomi, responded to credible intelligence at about 9:00 a.m. on April 21 regarding the abduction of a civilian in the Amendokhian general area.
The troops immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation and successfully secured the release of the victim.
The victim has since been reunited with family members, while efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the perpetrators.
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Edo During Search Operation
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have rescued a kidnapped victim following a swift response to a suspected terrorist attack in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources disclosed that the troops, deployed at Abaji, acted on a report at about 1:45 p.m. on April 21 regarding an attack at Tumataa community.
On arrival, the troops engaged the suspected terrorists in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the victim and flee the scene.
The victim was successfully rescued and has since been reunited with family members.
The sources added that troops are sustaining operations in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks.
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Benue
Troops Arrest Illegal Arms Manufacturers, Recover Weapons in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have arrested two suspected illegal arms manufacturers during a raid on a criminal hideout in Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources disclosed that the operation was carried out at about 5:00 p.m. on April 22 at Gwandanu Village, following credible intelligence on illicit arms production in the area.
According to the sources, the suspects were apprehended while actively engaged in the fabrication of weapons.
Items recovered during the operation include two AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, two generating sets, a welding machine, a drilling machine, a hand filer and a toolbox, among other items.
The suspects are currently in military custody pending further investigation.
The sources added that troops have intensified efforts to mop up illegally fabricated arms in the general area as part of ongoing operations to curb criminal activities and enhance security in the state.
Troops Arrest Illegal Arms Manufacturers, Recover Weapons in Plateau
Troops Repel Multiple Terrorist Attacks, Rescue 15 Kidnap Victims in Borno
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Edo During Search Operation
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Benue
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