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We won’t tolerate sabotage of drug war, Marwa warns

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We won’t tolerate sabotage of drug war, Marwa warns

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has warned that there will be no room for internal sabotage in the renewed war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

Marwa gave the warning in his remarks at the passing out ceremony of additional 2,500 cadets of Senior Officers Basic Course 16 on Thursday at the NDLEA Academy, Jos.

The anti-narcotics czar, while reminding the gathering that the ceremony completes the addition of 5,000 personnel to the NDLEA workforce, charged the graduates to make their impact felt.

He said within the last 30 years, the world of illicit drugs had become complex and more devastating to society, and the dynamics of the Nigerian drug situation had become more dire, noting that that was why the 2018 Drug Use Survey jolted Nigeria and sounded the alarm bell on the inevitability of arresting the situation.

“Hence, some 35 months ago, in January 2021, NDLEA was handed a lifeline to rejig its structure and improve its systems to counter contemporary drug problems,” he said.

He added that: “Today’s passing out ceremony, coming after months of rigorous training, is one of the manifestations of the ongoing restructuring in the agency. Having another batch of 5,000 officers to strengthen our workforce will assuredly give the needed impetus to the fight against the abuse and trafficking of illicit substances. In the tradition of our noble organisation and according to global best practices, this batch of officers has been trained to be efficient drug law enforcement agents. They have spent the past four months in training, where they have learnt the intricacies of drug law enforcement and know that their job demands sacrifice, loyalty, and discipline. I have no doubt that they are aware of their position as an important cog in the law and order system of society.”

Marwa, while welcoming the new Assistant Superintendents of Narcotics to the Agency, said: “I assure you that you are coming into this organisation at an interesting time when reforms are being implemented and plans have been laid for the next phase of action to curb drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.

“I must prepare your minds for the task ahead of you. The duties are such that there is no room for compromising the ethics of your profession or subverting the goals of the organisation. In our renewed campaign against illicit drugs, we are at a stage of ramped-up interdiction against cannabis, opioids, and other psychoactive substances. We cannot afford to decelerate our effort and we will not tolerate sabotage from within.

“What that means is that the injection of an additional 5,000 officers must have an immediate and far-reaching impact on the campaign. In other words: everyone must make their effort count.”

Justifying his charge to all officers, men and women of the agency, Marwa who was represented at the ceremony by the Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Victoria Egbase, said: “We have seen the truth come back full circle in the past few weeks, whereby some of the world’s known abusers of cannabis have come out to tell the public they are either quitting or have been diagnosed with some ailment, notably emphysema, which puts them at risk of early death and mental harm. That should further add impetus to our collective effort to rid our society of the menace of cannabis and other such dangerous substances.

“For us in NDLEA, we hold our duty sacrosanct, and our duty is to do everything within the ambit of the law to cleanse our society of the menace of illicit substances”, he stated, adding that “we have shifted gears to become proactive by creating a number of goal-oriented programmes and efficient mechanisms, such as Offensive Action and War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy.”

He warned the new officers that they must not be found wanting in the discharge of their responsibilities. “We are currently on the verge of expanding our presence to all 774 local government areas in the country. What that should tell our new officers is that there is work to do, and you cannot afford to be complacent or compromise the high standards we have set. On that note, let me also inform you that you must not fraternise with offenders of drug trafficking laws. Doing so is dangerous to your safety; it is catastrophic to your career; it sabotages organisational goals; and it is inimical to society’s wellbeing. Remembering this nugget of advice and abiding by it will ensure you a colourful and gratifying career.”

He commended the leadership of the NDLEA Academy and its team of instructors for the success of the training, adding that: “I am proud to say that in less than two years, they have shown their mettle and successfully trained 10,000 cadets. This is historic for NDLEA.”

The NDLEA boss also expressed appreciation to the people and government of Plateau State; the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da. Jacob Gyang Buba; the management of FRSC Training School, Jos; the Nigerian Army and other sister agencies in Plateau State for their unwavering support for NDLEA.

We won’t tolerate sabotage of drug war, Marwa warns

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CP Nasarawa tasks his personnel to hunt down the culprits of the recent killing of 11 in Udege

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CP Nasarawa tasks his personnel to hunt down the culprits of the recent killing of 11 in Udege

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Nasarawa State Command, Shetima Mohammed, has ordered an intensive manhunt for all perpetrators of the heinous act which led to the death of 11 residents in Udege.

He has equally directed all tactical teams and investigative units to ensure the prompt identification of the killers and further prosecution when they are finally caught.

He gave the directive recently when he
visited Udege Development Area in Nasarawa council Area following the recent communal attack that resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property in the area.

During his visit to the affected communities of Akyawa and Udege Kasa on April 3, 2026, the CP expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident which claimed the lives of 11 residents and the further burning of several homes.

He commiserated with the families of the deceased and the entire community, assuring them of the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that justice is served accordingly.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the same day, involved hoodlums from one side suspected to have carried out a reprisal attack over the alleged killing of two of their kinsmen.

A release signed by the police spokesperson Raman Nansel noted that in the course of the attack, 11 persons were killed, while about 50 homes were burnt in Akyawa while Udege Kasa lost only two residences.

To prevent any further breakdown of law and order, the CP has also directed the immediate reinforcement and sustained deployment of additional Police personnel, in synergy with the Military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to provide adequate security and restore lasting peace in the area.

A stakeholders’ meeting was held during the visit, where the CP urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to support ongoing investigations.

“The Command reassured members of the public that normalcy has been restored to the affected communities, while proactive measures are in place to prevent any recurrence of violence.” Said the release.

CP Nasarawa tasks his personnel to hunt down the culprits of the recent killing of 11 in Udege

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Zamfara bandits plan reprisals after heavy losses in military, DSS operations that killed Ado Aliero’s son, 65 others

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Zamfara bandits plan reprisals after heavy losses in military, DSS operations that killed Ado Aliero’s son, 65 others

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits are reportedly planning coordinated retaliatory attacks across parts of Zamfara State following recent large-scale security operations that resulted in significant losses among their ranks, including the killing of a notorious kingpin’s son and several commanders.

The planned reprisals are believed to be linked to sustained offensives conducted by Nigerian military forces in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and hybrid security units under Operation FANSAN YANMA, which targeted bandit enclaves in Tsafe Local Government Area and surrounding forest corridors.

The operations reportedly led to the neutralisation of about 65 armed bandits, including high-profile commanders operating under the network of Ado Aliero, a notorious figure linked to years of violent attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling across Zamfara and neighbouring states.

Among those killed was Kachalla Iliya Sarki, identified as the son of Ado Aliero, alongside other field commanders who were said to play key roles in coordinating armed operations in the region.

Other commanders reportedly eliminated during the offensive included Dogo Sule and Iliya Mai Rasha, as well as additional field leaders who coordinated attacks across Tsafe, Maru and surrounding communities.

The losses are understood to have significantly disrupted the operational structure of the criminal network, even as indications suggest attempts by surviving elements to regroup and launch retaliatory attacks against security formations and nearby communities.

The planned reprisals are also said to involve large-scale movement of armed fighters across forest routes, with motorcycles used for rapid mobilisation and coordination across multiple axes.

The sources said the movement involved suspected bandits operating on over 200 motorcycles, assembling around Unguwar Tsamiya forest axis, with indications that a well-known bandit leader, Bello Turji, had been linked to the planned mobilisation.

Security sources said the sustained operations also dismantled several bandit enclaves in Munhaye and adjoining forest belts, disrupting logistics networks and freeing victims previously held in captivity.

One of the slain commanders, Kachalla Biyabiki, was said to have been holding several abducted victims at the time of the operation, while another leader, Kachalla Dogon Bete, was also neutralised during the engagement.

The development, according to intelligence officials, has significantly weakened the operational structure of Ado Aliero’s network but may also trigger retaliatory violence from surviving fighters seeking revenge.

Security authorities said the latest intelligence pointing to the likelihood of reprisal attacks, particularly against soft targets and isolated rural communities.

They added that surveillance and troop deployments had been intensified across vulnerable locations, with emphasis on forest fringes and highway corridors in Tsafe, Maru, and neighbouring areas.

Authorities also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, while assuring that ongoing operations would be sustained to prevent any breakdown of security.

Operation FANSAN YANMA forces, alongside DSS operatives and hybrid units, are continuing clearance operations aimed at dismantling remaining bandit camps and preventing regrouping across the North-West theatre.

Zamfara bandits plan reprisals after heavy losses in military, DSS operations that killed Ado Aliero’s son, 65 others

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Troops repel bandits’ attack in AgatuBenue

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Troops repel bandits’ attack in Agatu
Benue

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the police, repelled an attack by suspected armed bandits on a joint patrol team in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on April 4, when the troops on routine patrol encountered the armed bandits.

According to the sources, the bandits opened fire on sighting the troops, leading to a gun duel.

“The troops responded decisively, forcing the bandits to retreat after a brief exchange of fire,” the source said.

The attackers reportedly fled through a nearby river, taking advantage of the difficult terrain.

The sources confirmed that no casualty was recorded among the troops during the encounter.

Following the incident, troops have intensified patrols and commenced combing operations in surrounding bushes to track down the fleeing suspects.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts by the military to curb banditry and sustain peace in the area.

Troops repel bandits’ attack in Agatu
Benue

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