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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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VP’s Wife Consoles Maiduguri Bomb Blast Victims

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VP’s Wife Consoles Maiduguri Bomb Blast Victims


Calls for united front against insurgency.

By: Our Reporter

Wife of the Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria Mrs Nana Shettima has stressed the need for all hands to be on desk to put an end to the more than a decade insurgency in the north east .

She made the appeal while speaking to journalists in Maiduguri shortly after she visited victims of gmboru market Mosque bomb blast in the Borno State capital.

In an emotional interview, Mrs Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice‑President, speaking on behalf of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu,described barbaric suicide bomb attack that struck the Gamboru market mosque after Maghrib prayer on Wednesday as unfortunate.

She prayed for the dead, called for unity, and vowed the support of the First Lady’s office for affected families.

Mrs Nana Shettima said she was in Maiduguri to offer condolences and relief to victims and families.

She visited the homes of the bereaved in Mashamari, Ummarari Millionaire’s Quarters and Gamboru Ward, where she prayed for the deceased, asked Allah to grant them eternal rest, and sought strength for families bearing these irreparable losses.

To cushion immediate hardship, Mrs Shettima presented financial support to affected families seven widows each received ₦1,000,000 (total ₦7,000,000).

She also visited the Maiduguri State Specialist Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), where she was shown around by Dr. Baba Shehu, Medical Director of the State Specialist Hospital, and received by Professor B. Kagu, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council at UMTH, and Dr. Bunu Bukar.

After going round the patients beds at both hospitals Mrs Nana Shettima gave ₦500,000 to each of the 14 patients still on admission, offered words of consolation, and prayed for their speedy recovery.

The wife of the vice president reiterated her appeal for communal calm and solidarity in the face of tragedy.

The visit signals the First Lady’s office’s commitment to immediate humanitarian relief and moral support for affected families.

The visit underlines the first lady’s office commitment to spiritual consolation with practical assistance, targeting both households that lost breadwinners and those receiving medical care.
Mrs Nana Shettima confirmed she was in Maiduguri expressly on behalf of the first lady of the nation to sympathise with the victims.

Those who accompanied her includes the wife of the Borno State Governor Dr Falmata Babagana Umara Zullum,wife of the Deputy Governor Hajiya Maimuna Umar Kadafur, and the Borno State Apc women leader Hajiya Fati Alkali Kakinna among other top female government officials.

VP’s Wife Consoles Maiduguri Bomb Blast Victims

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Police detain inspector, girlfriend over missing rifle in Taraba

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Police detain inspector, girlfriend over missing rifle in Taraba

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police in Taraba have detained an inspector and his girlfriend following the reported loss of an assault rifle along the Wukari–Jootar Federal Highway.

According to the source, the missing firearm belonged to Insp. Joshua Charles, aged 45, attached to the Safer Highway Patrol team.

The sources told Zagazola Makama that on Dec. 25, at about 3:00 p.m., the inspector reportedly left his duty post to Wukari town, leaving behind three other officers Insp. Haruna Galadima, Insp. Isah Waziri and Insp. Umar Mohammed who remained on duty.

“At about 8:30 p.m., the inspector’s girlfriend, one Ruth Alphancis of Sabon Gari area in Jalingo, who has been cohabiting with him since August 2025, returned from Jootar village in Benue and claimed to have seen an unidentified person breaking out of the house,” the source said.

He added that on the inspector’s return from Wukari town, allegedly in a drunken state, he discovered that his Type 06 assault rifle, loaded with 25 rounds of live ammunition, which he said he left inside the room, was missing.

The breach number of the rifle could not be immediately ascertained, the source said.

Following the report, the sources said operatives visited the scene, while efforts were intensified to recover the missing firearm and apprehend those responsible.

“The inspector and his girlfriend are currently in detention to aid investigation, while collaborative efforts involving local residents and hunters are ongoing to recover the rifle,” the source added.
End

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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai repel Boko Haram attack in Adamawa

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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai repel Boko Haram attack in Adamawa

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with other security elements, have repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Mayo Ladde village in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa.

The attack occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday in Mayo Ladde, a border community linking Askira/Uba Local Government Area and the Sambisa Forest axis of Borno.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that troops supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), swiftly responded to a distress call on the attempted incursion.

“The terrorists attempted to attack the village but were decisively engaged by the troops, who repelled them and forced them to retreat,” the source said.

According to the sources, no casualty was recorded during the incident, as residents of the village had fled the area before the arrival of the terrorists.

The source added that troops had intensified patrols and surveillance in the general area and along the border communities to forestall further attacks and deny the terrorists freedom of movement.

Operation Hadin Kai reiterated its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP elements to ensure the safety of lives and property in the North-East.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai repel Boko Haram attack in Adamawa

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