News

NDLEA arrests 18,940 drug traffickers in 18 months — Marwa

Published

10 months ago

August 19, 2022

Retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, said the Agency had arrested 18,940 drug traffickers in the last 18 months.

“This is an indication of the magnitude of the problem, and indeed a problem with dire consequences,” Marwa added.

Marwa spoke on Thursday in Abuja at a one-day: “Drug Awareness Conference, 2022,” with a theme: “Drug and Substance Abuse: The Effect on Mental Health and National Security.”

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the conference was organised by the Initiative Against Addiction and Substance Abuse and National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria and NDLEA.

Marwa said: “Today, the public is familiar with NDLEA’s arrests, prosecutions, convictions and seizures.

“We are doing much more behind the scene.

“We are scaling up efforts for the prevention, treatment, care and rehabilitation of drug-dependent individuals in our facilities.

“In this regard, we have counselled, treated and rehabilitated not less than 12,326 in the past 18 months.

“In collaboration with and support of UNODC, we have launched standard guidelines for our counselling in all our centres.”

Marwa said that the agency had inaugurated a drug abuse call centre with the toll-free helpline 0800-1020-3040 where drug users, their families or employers can call in for help and are offered tele-therapy services by certified professionals.

“They include counsellors, psychologists, psychotherapists and other mental health experts. And this is free of charge – both the call itself and the services offered are free,” the NDLEA chairman said.

He said the NDLEA had found out that there was a strong nexus between illicit drugs and the spate of insecurity being unleashed by terrorists, bandits and other non-state destabilising actors.

In a message to the occasion, the National Security Adviser, retired Major General Babagana Monguno, represented by Ambassador Mohammed Ahmed, said that Nigeria was experiencing rising demand and trafficking of illicit drugs.

Monguno also said that the ugly development had given rise to crimes, banditry, kidnapping and other related security challenges.

The Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger Traditional Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, said the drug problem in Nigeria was an emergency that required a collective action.

Abubakar, who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees of IAASAN, said: “We are deeply concerned about the escalation witnessed in recent times in the trafficking and use of unwholesome substances and drugs in the society.”

He said that IAASAN was determined to complement efforts to curb the menace of substance and drugs abuse in the country.

The convener and CEO of IAASAN, Ambassador Princess Raphael, said that traditional rulers play key roles in fighting the drug menace in the country.

Raphael said: “Some of the victims of drug and substance abuse feel more comfortable to talk to the traditional rulers.

“Therefore, we will increase our collaboration with them to complement the efforts of NDLEA to fully combat the menace.”

News

Enugu govt threatens to shut down institutions, businesses obeying sit-at-home

Published

9 hours ago

June 3, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

The Enugu State Government has called on residents of the state to ignore the sit-at-home being enforced by some members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafria, IPOB.

The government directed all schools, markets, banks, retail outlets, hospitals, transporters, and malls to operate every day of the week, including Mondays.

It warned that defaulters of the directive may be forced to shut down with immediate effect, stressing that the states’s taskforce would be moving around to check compliance.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the state government, the call followed a recent ban and cancellation of the sit-at-home in the state.

The statement reads, “This is to inform all schools, markets, banks, retail outlets, hospitals, transporters, malls and the general members of the public that, in view of the recent ban/cancellation of Mondays’ sit-at-home by the Government of Enugu State, in all nooks and crannies of the state, they have been directed to go about their normal businesses and activities every day of the week, including Mondays.

“The above-mentioned bodies and others alike are required to comply with the directive as adequate security measures have been taken to guarantee their safety.

The statement noted that members of the government’s taskforce will be moving around to monitor compliance. Any market, transport outlet, or any other body that fails to open for business risks being shut down immediately.

News

Ebonyi: Governor Nwifuru appoints SA on Street Light, 20 others

Published

9 hours ago

June 3, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru

Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has appointed 21 aides as Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants.

The appointment was contained in a public service announcement signed by Dr. Monday Uzor, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

Below are the list of those appointed into various positions:

Emerike Chinedu – SSA Security, Ebonyi North
Felix Okemini – SSA Security, Izzi LGA
Sunday Ogbonna – SA Security, Abakaliki LGA
Mbam Emmanuel Obinna – SA, Internal Security, Ebonyi LGA
Ogbonna Tobias – SA, Internal Security, Ohaukwu
Chukwuemeka Nwokpo – SA, Internal Security South

Godwin Okum – SA, Internal Security Ezza North
Desmond Edeke – SA, Internal Security Ikwo LGA
Easy Okike-Uzo – SA, Internal Security Onicha LGA
Chukwu Godwin – SA, Internal Security Ohaozara
Obinna Oko-Enyim – SA, Internal Security Afikpo North
Chima Nnachi Okoro – SA, Internal Security Afikpo South
Cletus Nga – SA, Internal Security Ivo LGA
Dr. Boniface Nwankwo – SA Documentation
Leo Ekene Oketa, – SA New Media

Mrs. Ifeoma Agwu – SA, Primary Education
Dr. Sabinus Nwibo – SA, Primary Health Care
Pan Christ Ikechukwu Eze, – SA, Capital City
Sylvester Nwamini – SA, Streetlight
Nnanna Nwangele – SA, Airport Security
Franklin Nkemjika Enyi – SA Airport SecurityAccording to the Statesmen, the appointees will be sworn-in on Monday, 5th June, 2023.
Time: 10 a.m at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Ochudo Centenary City, Abakaliki.

News

Tinubu’s government temporary — Atiku

Published

10 hours ago

June 3, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

Tinubu and Atiku

Defeated presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections, Atiku Abubakar has expressed confidence that he will reclaim his alleged stolen mandate at the court.

He, therefore, referred to the President Bola Tinubu-led APC administration as a “temporary government”.

Atiku Abubakar who addressed elected officials of the PDP during a stakeholders meeting held at the Government House Banquet Hall in Bauchi on Saturday, charged members of the National Assembly of the PDP not to be “rubber stamp members of the National Assembly”.

He added; “You are there to serve as a formidable opposition to this temporary administration.”

According to him, “Based on the results announced by the INEC and pending the determination of electoral challenges in the court, our members elect are not the majority in the National Assembly.

“So, for the time being, they have to prepare to work as an effective, constructive opposition while also preparing for possible roles of the majority party when the cases are resolved. A Government in waiting, so to speak.”

Atiku Abubakar stressed that, “In the recently concluded elections, our party campaigned on specific things, Nigerians are therefore expecting you to work on how to fulfil those campaign promises. That you are not among the INEC selected members is not an excuse not to perform, you must collectively work to put the temporary government on the right direction to serve Nigerians. Don’t be part of rubber stamp.”

He continued; “As you know, the PDP remains the only political party that is led by all its members, not a political party that is led by a few political godfathers. No one individual or group of people are bigger than the party in the PDP. You are Representatives of the party, do not be tempted to leave your party just because of INEC induced temporary setback.

“In the end, the truth shall triumph over falsehood and evil. Therefore, you must please remain resolute, do not work in isolation from one another, you are a team and should always work to together as a team in order to achieve meaningful results and also remain connected to your roots, your constituents and other stakeholders.”

The former Vice President explained that, “Retreat such as this, is like a meeting you will have with someone or a group about to embark on a very important journey or mission.”

“It is to discuss what we expect from the journey, how to prepare adequately for that journey including pieces of advise on how to handle various challenges that might be encountered along the way and also at the destination,” he further added.

He, however, charged the members-elect not to lose hope.

“Don’t ever lose hope, the role of the opposition is holding the government in majority party to account. And in doing so, you demonstrate that you and your party are ready to govern at the shortest possible time,” he said. (STribune)