Quit illicit drug trade now or get ready for more hard time, Marwa warns barons, cartels

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) has warned drug barons, traffickers and their cartels to quit the criminal trade or face more hard time during his second tenure.

Marwa, who was reappointed by President Bola Tinubu for a second tenure of five years on Friday told jubilating management staff, officers, men and women of the agency who gathered to welcome him at NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja following the presidential announcement that his second tenure will be hell and bleak for those who fail to quit the illicit drug trade.

He expressed appreciation to the president for the recognition of ongoing efforts against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

He said: “First of all, what a surprise, I did not expect to come back from jumat service to meet these great felicitations, dancing and singing by our personnel. Thank you very much. We would like to thank the almighty God, because always the glory has to go to Him for everything. We thank the President and Commander-in-Chief for the special recognition of our collective efforts and the new mandate for us to continue with the war against drug abuse and trafficking. I thank the management, officers, men and women of the agency, who continue to provide service to the nation 24/7, in spite of the risks that you all face.”

He also acknowledged the unflinching support by the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun while also expressing thanks to “all our local and international partners, with whom we have continued to collaborate towards ridding Nigeria of illicit substances.”

He added that: “First, this word must go to the cartels. The cartels have not seen anything yet. I promise them this second tenure is going to be hell and bleak for them. Drugs shall not pass, in or out or within Nigeria.”

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment towards President Tinubu’s mandate, assuring that “in line with our Act, we will continue to do our level best. I remember in my inaugural speech, the day I took over, and I said very clearly that NDLEA will be feared by the drug cartels. And that’s just the beginning.

“At the same time, I must appeal to those who are engaged in illicit drug trafficking that this is the right time for them to drop that criminal business and face something legitimate. It is in line with that that we established the Alternative Development Unit, which seeks to persuade those who are perpetrating the illicit drug activities, particularly cannabis growers, who are our greatest challenge in Nigeria, to desist from the habit, collaborate with us. We are going to support towards licit cultivation of crops that are legitimate, legal, and you can sleep with your two eyes closed.

“But those who refuse to do that can be sure that the NDLEA is up and able on its task of law enforcement. You will be arrested, the drugs will be seized, and your assets will be confiscated. So, you come out from jail, there will be nothing left.”

He also assured that the agency will remain committed to its drug demand reduction efforts. “I’ll take the opportunity again to announce the rededication of our efforts towards prevention, sensitization, counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation of our children in our 30 rehabilitation centres. And with the support of the President and the Renewed Hope Agenda, seven more rehab centres are coming up under the 2025 budget that will now make every state to have its own rehab centre.

“And as well, there will be zonal rehab, more rehab centres and we are getting full collaboration from the Honourable Minister of Health. We appreciate his efforts also, and the Honourable Minister of Education, who has accepted our recommendation for drug tests for our children on admission to tertiary institutions, so that with this we can catch them young before it gets into addiction stage. May the Almighty God bless our President, bless all those that are supporting us, bless the officers, men and women of NDLEA.”

Quit illicit drug trade now or get ready for more hard time, Marwa warns barons, cartels

India High Commission, KADIFF Screen Short Movies in Abuja

By: Michael Mike

High Commission of India, in collaboration with the Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF) has organized a special short Movie Screening and Panel Discussion.

The event, which held at the Chancery premises, was inaugurated by High Commissioner Amb Abhishek Singh, and brought together a vibrant cross-section of participants from the diplomatic community, including Heads of Mission, members of the Nollywood fraternity, film professionals, cultural enthusiasts, influencers, and friends of India.

The evening featured the screening of two thought-provoking short films — the Indian short film “Good Morning”, and the Nigerian film “Not So Long a Letter”.

Following the screenings, a lively panel discussion was held on the theme: “Celebration of our rich cultural heritage and the need for collaboration.”

The panelists, including Swat Duniah-Adalumo – Moderator (Journalist), Dr. Ahmed Sarari (Filmmaker), Francis Duru (Actor/Filmmaker) and Stephnora Okere (Actress/filmmaker) exchanged insights on how cinema can deepen mutual understanding, promote cross-cultural narratives, and foster creative partnerships between the Indian and Nigerian film industries.

The initiative was part of the High Commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen India-Nigeria cultural relations and promote Indian cinema through shared artistic expressions and storytelling traditions”

India High Commission, KADIFF Screen Short Movies in Abuja

Non-kinetic team engages bandit leaders, communities in Birnin Gwari to strengthen peace initiative

By: Zagazola Makama

In continuation of non-kinetic peace engagements across the 1 Division area of operation, representatives of key security and peace institutions on Tuesday visited Kuyello and surrounding communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State to sustain dialogue with repentant bandits and community leaders.

The visit, conducted on Nov. 11, was jointly led by representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and some Islamic clerics from the Kaduna State Peace Committee, with participation from 1 Division Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to sources, the team arrived Kuyello at about 11:30 a.m., where a meeting was held with key community stakeholders and repentant bandit leaders.

The Chairman of the committee urged the repentant bandits to remain committed to the peace agreement and desist from attacks, kidnappings, and preventing locals from accessing markets and farmlands.

He reminded them that the peace initiative was built on mutual trust and community safety.

During the engagement, the team learned of an unresolved conflict between vigilantes from Kompany village in the Layin Dan Auta area and residents of Layin Dan Lasa village, reportedly under the control of bandit leader Kachalla Risku.

The feud was traced to an earlier incident at a mining site on Oct. 16, 2025, where a Fulani local was killed and his weapon seized, leading to retaliatory attacks and kidnappings.

The sources noted that Risku agreed to release all kidnapped persons and return a police rifle in his custody.

However, he demanded the return of four motorcycles allegedly seized by locals during the October incident.

Community leaders, including the Hakimi, testified that the bandits had largely kept to their commitments under the peace accord, attributing the recent tensions to the refusal of residents of Layin Dan Auta to comply with the peace deal.

The team further stopped at Rikau and Rima villages during its return to Kaduna to meet other bandit leaders, including Kabiru and Dandukununu, who also pledged to uphold the peace agreement. Palliatives were handed over to them as part of confidence-building measures.

The delegation described the visit as successful, noting that it was aimed at preventing a relapse into violence and consolidating gains from the ongoing dialogue process.

At the end of the engagement, several resolutions were reached, including a directive for the Birnin Gwari Local Government Council and the Emirate Council to facilitate peace talks between the warring communities.

It was also resolved that all kidnapped victims in the custody of Risku be released immediately, while the police rifle held by his group should be handed over to security agencies without delay.

The team returned safely to Kaduna at about 7:50 p.m. after a hitch-free mission.

Non-kinetic team engages bandit leaders, communities in Birnin Gwari to strengthen peace initiative