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UN to Support Nigeria’s War on Drug Trafficking – Amina Mohammed
UN to Support Nigeria’s War on Drug Trafficking – Amina Mohammed
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations has assured Nigeria of support in its ongoing war against drug abuse and drug trafficking.
The assurance was given by the Deputy Secretary General of the UN, Mrs. Amina Mohammed when she paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Retd) at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)‘s headquarters in Abuja.
She said the UN was ready to support NDLEA to succeed in its onerous task of curbing the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
Mohammed, accompanied by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Malick Fall, said the global body is willing to enhance the impact of the agency has it has shown significant achievements over the years in the war against drug trafficking.
According to her, “On behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, we want to reconfirm our support from the United Nations to the work of this agency. It is extremely important, this is coming at a time where the challenges are more complex. The Chairman has spoken about the needs, and we are very pleased to hear that everyone is doing a very good job and we hope that we can increase the impact.
“From our conversation with the Chairman, the issue is clear, it involves many other sectors. We talked about the root causes, and the escape is often drugs. That is why it is important for us to work with the rest of government to ensure that all people have a right to their dignity. I see this agency as a symbol that wants to do the job, to succeed. This is a challenge we will be here to support.”
The UN Chief commended Marwa for providing NDLEA exemplary leadership. “I just have to commend the leadership you have here, the leadership we have known for a very long time. When we were much younger, we used to look up to the Soldier Marwa, that led from the front with example and discipline. We see the discipline now in your officers as we walk into the office and there is a difference. We need more of that.”
“This is the only country that we have. And we must harness the potential through the work that we do. What we want to do is support with whatever that we can, to ensure a greater and better Nigeria that takes its position not only in Africa but worldwide”, she added.
While appreciating the UN deputy scribe for the visit, Marwa said “We’re indeed pleased to have you visit us. This will go on record as the first visit in history to NDLEA by the highest echelon of the United Nations. We not only commend you for this but also in equal measure your string of impressive achievements, whether when you served as Minister at home or at the global stage where you’re currently serving as Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations. Thank you for being a shining light and a good ambassador of not only Nigeria, but the African continent and indeed the black race world over.”
Marwa noted that the twin problem of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking remains one of the ferocious threats to public health and national security despite the significant efforts being made by NDLEA in the areas of drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction in Nigeria.
“With the dire consequences of the menace steering us in the face, upon my assumption of leadership in 2021, we have moved swiftly to halt the spiral turn of the situation and between then and end of 2023, we have been able to make over 48,157 arrests including 46 drug barons with a total of 8,350 already successfully prosecuted and convicted while 7,500 tons of illicit drugs were seized from them and 1,057 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed deep in the forests in parts of the country .
“On the other part of our mandate, we have equally put in place a strong mechanism to raise public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. This we do through our War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, a social advocacy campaign initiative. In addition, we provide treatment and counselling to users in our commands across the country, through which we have been able to counsel and treat over 29, 400 persons within the same period.
“This is why your coming today affords us the opportunity to share with you some of the things you can use your good office and the huge platform of the UN to facilitate to enhance what we are doing and plan to achieve. They include but not limited to the following: Conduct of another drug use survey that will give us a better assessment of where we’re now six years after the last survey; procurement of mechanical tools to destroy cannabis farms as against the current manual system; procurement of incinerators to destroy tons of illicit drugs seized as against the current open air burning which is not good for the environment and public health; support for our Alternative Development programme and
modern forensic equipment needed in our old and new labs, among others.”
UN to Support Nigeria’s War on Drug Trafficking – Amina Mohammed
Zulum Receives Seven Ambassadors, UN Officials on Humanitarian Visit to Maiduguri
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has received ambassadors from seven countries alongside senior United Nations and federal government officials during a high-level humanitarian visit to Maiduguri.
The visiting diplomats represented India, Egypt, Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkey, Malaysia and Qatar. They were accompanied by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bernard Doro.
The visit was organised to give the international partners an opportunity to directly assess the humanitarian situation in Borno State and observe ongoing recovery and development efforts following years of conflict.
During the visit on Tuesday, the delegation was taken on a tour of key projects implemented by the Zulum administration in the areas of education, healthcare and human capital development. The tour was led by the Acting Governor of the state, Umar Usman Kadafur.
Addressing journalists after the tour, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator praised Governor Zulum for what he described as visible and impactful infrastructure development across the state. He noted that the projects showcased a different narrative from the usual focus on security challenges in the region.
According to Fall, initiatives in education, vocational skills training, girl-child education and malnutrition treatment demonstrate deliberate efforts to improve the lives of residents and address the underlying causes of the humanitarian crisis. He stressed that sustained investment in education remains critical to long-term peace and development in the state.
Also speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded in Borno despite more than a decade of conflict. He commended the governor’s leadership, describing the facilities visited as practical tools for empowering residents and lifting them out of poverty.
The minister added that the vocational centres, comprehensive schools and other social infrastructure reflect a strong commitment to recovery, resilience and inclusive development in the state.
Zulum Receives Seven Ambassadors, UN Officials on Humanitarian Visit to Maiduguri
Reckless police teargas firing sparks fire outbreak in Katsina cement shop
By: Zagazola Makama
A routine police patrol in Katsina State on Monday degenerated into a fire incident after officers recklessly fired teargas into a cement shop, causing a blaze and injuring a trailer driver in Charanchi Local Government Area.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident occurred at about 6:00 p.m. on Feb. 2, when personnel attached to the Malumfashi Division intercepted an unregistered cement trailer while returning from special duty en route from Katsina to Malumfashi.
Witnesses said that instead of handling the traffic offence with restraint, the patrol team fired teargas, which strayed into a nearby cement shop owned by Umar Abdullahi, and ignited a fire.
“The teargas landed inside the shop and immediately started a fire. People ran out in panic. We had to struggle to put it out,” a resident said.
The fire destroyed some goods before it was eventually extinguished by residents and emergency responders.
The trailer driver, Gambo Abdurrahman, of Gidan Dawa, Katsina, also sustained a fracture on his right leg during the incident. He was rushed to General Hospital, Kankia, and later referred to an Orthopaedic Hospital for specialist treatment.
Police sources confirmed that the situation had been brought under control and that the officers involved had been defaulted for disciplinary action.
“The Command has ordered a full investigation into the reckless use of teargas that led to the fire outbreak and injury. Appropriate sanctions will follow,” a senior officer said.
Reckless police teargas firing sparks fire outbreak in Katsina cement shop
Terrorists kill scores in Kwara village attack – lawmaker
By: Zagazola Makama
Scores of persons were killed in a terrorist attack on Woro Village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, the lawmaker representing Kaiama in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Saidu Baba Ahmed, has confirmed.
Ahmed who disclosed this on Wednesday said that the death toll had risen to 35 as of this morning, while many residents were still missing in the surrounding bush after fleeing the community during the attack.
“I’m on my way to Woro where the mayhem took place yesterday, along with a detachment of soldiers from Ilorin. I have also been informed that other soldiers are following the attackers. I’m glad to say that I spoke with the Emir this morning and he is alive,” he said.
Security sources said the attack occurred on Feb. 3 at about 7:07 p.m., when terrorists suspected to be Boko Haram Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) stormed Woro, setting houses and shops ablaze as residents fled in panic.
The assailants reportedly withdrew after spotting an approaching aircraft, but intelligence indicates they may still be lurking nearby and could attempt to return once security pressure eases.
Meanwhile, security sources warned that terrorist operations are escalating across the North-West and North-Central, with attacks spreading into border communities with the Republic of Benin, particularly in Kwara and Niger States.
The sources noted that terrorists infiltrating from the Sahel axis have merged with local criminal groups. Two major groups – JNIM/AQIM and IS Sahel are said to be competing for territory, using forest corridors and borderlands as launch pads for further attacks.
While parts of the North-West face encroachment from ISIS-linked elements along Niger’s borders with Sokoto and Kebbi, JNIM’s operations reportedly stretch from the W–Arly–Pendjari (WAP) Forest Complex into Benin, diverting into North-Central Nigeria.
Zagazola stressed that containing the threat requires strong regional cooperation, describing the violence as part of a wider Sahelian security crisis rather than an isolated state-level problem.
Terrorists kill scores in Kwara village attack – lawmaker
Zulum Receives Seven Ambassadors, UN Officials on Humanitarian Visit to Maiduguri
Reckless police teargas firing sparks fire outbreak in Katsina cement shop
OPINION: Growing ISWAP–ISIS ties in Sahel after Niamey attack threaten Lake Chad and West African security corridor
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