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We are Planning Alternative Strategies to Nullify Drug Cartel-NDLEA

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We are Planning Alternative Strategies to Nullify Drug Cartel-NDLEA

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen.Buba Marwa (Retd) has said that the agency is planning alternative development strategies that will take drug cartels out of business and protect the environment from the damaging effects of illicit drug cultivation and production.

The NDLEA boss disclosed this while outlining efforts by Nigeria to curb the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug production and trafficking in his presentation at the third committee session of the ongoing 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA on Monday

The spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Tuesday quoted Marwa to have said: “Cartels involved in illicit drug cultivation are causing deforestation, resulting 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 agricultural loans and improved seedlings.

“The increasing online activities of drug traffickers, particularly on the dark web, after the COVID-19 pandemic have become a great source of concern. This will require collaboration and capacity-building to neutralize the growing threat. Nigeria is also strengthening its legal framework through on-going amendments to relevant drug laws.

“Our bilateral and multilateral cooperation efforts have been expanded through the signing and renewal of memoranda of understanding with countries and agencies. This has helped to deepen intelligence sharing, exchange programmes, joint operations, and capacity building, among others.”

Marwa also said the Nigeria’s premier anti-narcotics agency will continue to identify gaps and build bridges, both in dismantling drug trafficking cartels and providing access to treatment and counselling services.

He said: “More policies to protect vulnerable groups such as women, children, and displaced persons will be implemented. To maintain a clear lead over drug trafficking groups, we will continue to engage in thoughtful regulations and targeted strategic law enforcement that are intelligence-led and human rights-centred. We will also leverage stakeholder collaboration as we make progress in the implementation of the SDGs. No stone must be left unturned, and no community, group, or individual must be left behind. We must extend the fight against drugs on all fronts and ensure that our communities are safe, healthy, and peaceful”, he told the global gathering.”

He added that Nigeria is adopting a whole-of-society approach to countering the challenges of drug trafficking in line with the 2030 SDG agenda, which seeks to promote the rule of law, health, peace, and justice, stressing that: “Therefore, while ramping up law enforcement efforts to halt the illicit supply of drugs, we are equally promoting evidence-based drug prevention, treatment, and care programmes.”

Marwa while stating that Nigeria is concentrating efforts on mitigating the challenges of narcotic drugs, he declared that “the drug demand reduction strategies are also helping to address the problem of stigmatization and discrimination against people with drug use disorders. This includes the introduction of a 24/7 toll-free call centre where people can call from the comfort of their homes to access quality counselling, treatment, and care.”

He noted that: “Remarkable progress has also been made in early prevention programmes in schools and communities. This is in accordance with SDG 3, which seeks to promote good health and well-being. One of the approaches is to build the capacity of young people and provide them with the basic coping skills they need to succeed in life. The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the MTN Foundation, is promoting the Unplugged Drug Programme in schools.

“I am glad to inform that the implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2021–2025 is in its third year. This is Nigeria’s strategic document for addressing the world drug problem. One of its advantages is the involvement of stakeholders at all levels of government. The master plan provides a multi-agency intelligence-led model that is aimed at disrupting drug trafficking cartels and targeting illicit drug assets and wealth.

“In addition to the NDCMP, there is the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign, which provides stakeholders with a platform to promote anti-drug abuse enlightenment efforts. With this development, we have given equal opportunity to drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction efforts. The active participation of non-governmental organizations and civil society groups has raised awareness among various groups, including traditional rulers, students, opinion leaders, and religious leaders about the dangers of drug abuse and the need to address it.”

We are Planning Alternative Strategies to Nullify Drug Cartel-NDLEA

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Troops recover 68 livestock after gun battle with terrorists in Sokoto

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Troops recover 68 livestock after gun battle with terrorists in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have recovered 68 rustled animals after engaging terrorists in a gun battle at Sauna/Goboro Forest, spanning Illela and Tangaza Local Government Areas of Sokoto State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Sept. 2 when terrorists attempted to move the livestock through the area.

The source said troops made contact, exchanged fire and forced the terrorists to flee, abandoning the animals.

The recovered livestock were handed over to the Maigari of Sauna village for onward delivery to Tangaza LGA officials.

He added that one military Panhard vehicle developed a mechanical fault during the operation and was undergoing repairs.

Troops recover 68 livestock after gun battle with terrorists in Sokoto

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Two killed, three injured as terrorists attack community in Niger, as troops chased the attackers

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Two killed, three injured as terrorists attack community in Niger, as troops chased the attackers

By: Zagazola Makama

Terrorists have killed two persons and injured three others in an attack on Dappo village, Tungan Wawa Ward of Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, Sub-Sector 1, responded swiftly to the attack with heavy fire power.

According to the source, vigilantes from Utachu village had earlier engaged the terrorists in a firefight before troops reinforced the area.

He said the attackers fled on sighting the troops after inflicting casualties on locals, while troops secured the community to prevent further attacks.

Two killed, three injured as terrorists attack community in Niger, as troops chased the attackers

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Four children die mysteriously in Borno community, parents hospitalised

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Four children die mysteriously in Borno community, parents hospitalised

By: Zagazola Makama

Tragedy struck in Kukurpu village, Kwajaffa District of Hawul Local Government Area, Borno State, where four children from the same family were confirmed dead after being found unconscious alongside their parents.

Zagazola Makama reports that the incident occurred on Thursday morning when neighbours raised alarm after several unanswered phone calls to the family’s head, 35-year-old Muktari Idrisa.

According to sources, a neighbour, Bukar Musa, eventually reached Idrisa’s wife, Maimuna, who revealed that everyone in the house was seriously ill and unable to stand.

The neighbours rushed to the residence and discovered Idrisa, his wife, and their four children lying unconscious.

The children were identified as: Idrisa Muktari, male, Hauwa Muktari, female, 9 years, Binta Muktari, female, 6 years and Saidu Muktari, male, 1 year.

Security forces and medical experts rushed to the scene. Doctors certified all four children dead on arrival, while the parents were admitted and are responding to treatment.

The corpses were deposited at the hospital mortuary before being released to relatives for burial according to Islamic rites.

Authorities say the cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained, though police say the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Maiduguri has commenced a full investigation.

The tragic development has thrown the quiet farming community of Kukurpu into mourning.

Four children die mysteriously in Borno community, parents hospitalised

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