Some illicit drugs intercepted by Operatives of NDLEA
NDLEA intercepts N7.3bn codeine consignment in Lagos
Drugs
Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, June 30, 2024(NAN)The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), on Sunday said it intercepted 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup worth N7.3 billion in Rivers.
This is contained in a statement signed by NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said that the intercepted cartons contained 1,050,000 bottles of the opioid worth over N7.3 billion street value, at the Port Harcourt Ports complex, Onne, Rivers l.
According to him, the seizure made from six containers on Saturday, is the third of such in the past four weeks.
He said that the drugs were seized following credible intelligence and diligent tracking of the consignments from their port of departure by a special operations unit of NDLEA.
Babafemi also said that the operatives worked in partnership with the Port Harcourt, Ports Command of the agency and other security agencies.
This, he said, included the Nigeria Customs Service for a 100 per cent joint examination of the targeted containers.
“At the end of the joint examination of the six containers, a total of 6,125 cartons containing 1,050,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 157,500 kilograms were recovered, “he said.
Babafemi further said that NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos, arrested two passengers travelling to Doha on a Qatar Airways flight at the screening point of terminal 2.
He said that the arrest came after they tested positive to ingestion of illicit substances on Friday.
“The suspects: Aikhomoun Daniel (alias Oladapo Olanrewaju) and Ayigoro Omobolaji were thereafter taken into observatory custody.
“While Daniel excreted a total of 90 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.022kg in six excretions, Ayigoro discharged 60 wraps of the same Class A substance with a total weight of 662grams in five excretions.
“Further investigation revealed that Aikhomoun Daniel actually stole the identity of his late uncle who was once based in Germany.
“This is a decision he claimed he took to get a Schengen visa to enable him free access to Europe, while his real name is Oladapo Olanrewaju, “he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Suspected drug users arrested at a drug party in Abuja
Party
By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, June 30, 2024(NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Sunday said it raided a ‘drug party’ in Abuja and arrested 60 suspects.
Its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement, said that the Friday party was dubbed: “Go hard or Go Home, Pick Your Poison”.
“The suspects comprised of 25 males and 35 females; they were arrested at an apartment in Sun City estate in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
He said that the raid followed credible intelligence about the drug party organised by one Stanley Ikechukwu, who was arrested at the venue.
“Six of the suspects – Victoria Adoga, Hamza Yari, Joanne Essein, Socchima Valentine Jago Imole and Charles Indobuibisi – were arrested with different quantities of ecstasy and cannabis.
“The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, has directed that 20 of the suspects, who tested negative to drugs, be released unconditionally.
“Thirty-three others, who tested positive to illicit drugs, were to be released on bail and will report at the FCT Command of the agency on Monday, to begin treatment and counselling,” he said.
In another development, four suspects – Endurance Okon, 24, Joseph Michael, 23, Ovoco Bright, 43, and Goday Abanum, 23 – have been arrested in a forest at Ugun, Igueben LocalGovernment in Edo.
“They were arrested on Saturday, June 29, when NDLEA operatives raided and destroyed 18,632.22 kilograms of cannabis on a 7.452 hectares of farmland,” he explained.
Babafemi said that no less than 40.32kg of Loud, an imported strong strain of cannabis was, on Friday, June 28, recovered in a vehicle along Lekki-Ikoyi road.
This, he said, was when the driver jumped off the vehicle after noticing that NDLEA operatives were on his trail.
He said that commands and formations of the agency across the country had continued their War Against Drug Abuse(WADA), sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities in the past week.
Among areas visited for the WADA enlightenment are First Technical University, Ibadan, Government Day Secondary School, Yola, and Ezeike High School, Nibo, in Anambra, among others.(http://www.nannews.ng)
Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
NDLEA to inaugurate 3 drug rehabilitation centres in 2024
Centres
By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, June 30, 2024(NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is to inaugurate three new model rehabilitation centre before the end of the year 2024.
The Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said that the agency was no longer scratching the surface adding that indeed the agency was getting to the root of the problems associated with drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
He said that there was hardly no community in Nigeria that do not have problem of substance abuse saying awareness and advocacy helped in curbing to the barest minimum.
According to him, this is why you have these whole level of awareness all over the country.
“That’s why the agency brought on board the War Aganist Drug Abuse (WADA) initiatives to mobilise everybody, be you, families, Faith based Organisations, community, all strata of the society to get involved in this whole thing.
“We are having three new model rehabilitation center coming up this year which will be commissioned very soon.
“This shows you that the leadership of this country is well informed about the problems of drugs in Nigeria and he is giving great support to NDLEA .
“We are glad about that and the partnership the agency is having with other organisations and institutions.
“Drug abuse is a global challenge. We don’t have time to waste and that’s why we are running faster and driving hard to ensure that we respond to the global challenge, “he said.
Speaking on the renewed initiative of the agency, Babafemi said that the whole essence was to drive awareness towards drug testing.
NAN reports that President Bola Tinubu had launched “Save Our Families Campaign” initiative to strengthen the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking on June 26.
Babafemi said that there was need for parents to also take ownership of their children upbringing.
He said that the agency had now provided thousands of test kits that could be used in the home and offices among others.
According to him, you don’t have to get into a facility before you used this test kits, just like people seat in their home and test for diabetes , pregnancy and others .
“Don’t forget that the family is the smallest unit of the society and more often than not, that’s where some of these problems start from.
“So if we are trying to get to the bottom of it and to solve the situation, we also have to go back to the family level to get, moblise parent, to get them to start parenting , to take ownership of the upbringing of their children.
“Parent need to be intentional in parenting. We have definitely gone beyond that and apart from that, you have also seen that NDLEA keeps coming up everyday and every time with new strategy.
“We simplify the process so that parents can now get their homes to check whether their kids are into substance abuse. This is for early detection.
“When you discover it early, you can then quickly seek help because at the early stages of substance abuse, it’s easier to tackle to treat than when it becomes a state of addiction, then it becomes very complex and complicated.
“That is to show that indeed we are making progress. One of the things the “save our families campaign” solve is Prevention, “he said.(NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)
Stakeholders and Youths at the Conference organised by Vanguard Against Drug Abuse (VGADA) to address drug abuse in Nigeria
WDD: VGADA, NDLEA enlighten youth on dangers of drug abuse
Drugs
By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, June 28, 2024(NAN) An NGO, Vanguard Against Drug Abuse Abuse (VGADA) detox centre has said that there was need to secure the future of Nigeria by addressing decisively the pervasive problem of drug abuse.
The Executive Director, VGADA, Dr Hope Omeiza said this during the National Youth Conference in commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit trafficking on Friday in Abuja.
Omeiza said that the issue of drug abuse was presently threatening to destroy the future of the youths which he described as leaders of tomorrow.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is tagged “The Youth, Drugs, Mental Health and Nigeria’s Future.
Omeiza, who doubled as the Convener said that the subject to be addressed was one that had negatively impacted many households in Nigeria.
According to him, with great sadness, while working under the auspices of my organisation, I have witnessed firsthand the torment our youth who suffer from drug abuse go through.
He said “Nigerian Youths are a formidable and productive force to be reckoned with, however, drug abuse has begun to take its toll on the productivity of a reasonable percentage of our youth.
“The Nigerian population is made up of about 70 per cent of youths which is about 151 million, reportedly the highest population of youths in the world.
“Unfortunately, over 10 per cent of this youth population takes hard drugs and suffers from substance use disorders.
“For this country to thrive, the youth who are the bedrock need to be healthy and sane, but substance abuse is leaving no stone unturned as it has continued to batter the mental health of a lot of our youths.
“We need to secure the future of Nigeria by addressing decisively this pervasive problem of drug abuse which is presently threatening to destroy the future of the Leaders of tomorrow.
“I was once a drug user who would have amounted to nothing, but today, I am able to make some reasonable impact because I received intervention of some sorts, “he said.
Omeiza said that there were a lot of youths out there, who wanted to be useful and whose intellectual property if harnessed properly, would impact the country positively.
“They are however unable to contribute their quota, because they are helpless and unable to withstand the influence of substance abuse.
“Today, we have a gathering of well meaning government officials and heads of agencies, seasoned health experts, activists among others.
“It is my hope that our robust discourse here today would illuminate us on the gravity of the problem we have at hand, and help us churn out reasonable and lasting solutions to this menace, “he said.
Representative of the NDLEA Chariman, giving his lecture on dangers of drug abuse
Speaking, the Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa said that the concept of drug abuse was not new nor esoteric.
Marwa, who was represented by the NDLEA, Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi said that Drug use was common among those who were between the ages of 25 and 39 years.
He said that the fuller picture of the fact was that 14. 3 million of the Nigeria population was hooked on drugs with youth in the majority, in the region of at least eight million.
He said that the figure might seem inconsequential in the light of the humongous population of over 206 million.
He added “the gravity of it would not be lost on Nigeria when we come to think of it that about 15 or more African countries do not have up to eight million population.
According to him, These are the likes of Togo, Mauritania, Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Libya and Liberia to mention a few.
“And also about 28 European countries do not have eight million population. And here we are, we have about that number of youths abusing drugs in our own country.
“However, NDLEA is working hard to make care, treatment and rehabilitation available and accessible to young people, “he said.
In her remarks, Ms Titilope Gbadamosi, Senior Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives (Delivering and Monitoring) said that the issue of youth and drugs was one thing that would continue to reinforce in the submission about youth initiatives.
Gbadamosi however, commended the President Bola Tinubu’s administration saying that “what the presidency and even the government of Nigeria is doing was a whole lot.
“ The Ministry of Youth Development is thriving heavily on collaboration and we are doing everything we can to make sure that the menace of drug abuse is going to an all time low in Nigeria.
“And this we are not doing all alone by ourselves. I mentioned earlier that we have a good relationship with the United Nations Office for Drug and Crime(UNODC).
“And we have quite a number of initiatives that we are working on with them, which we’ll be announcing to you very soon. Our strength of collaborating is also what we have come here to do today, “she said.
Other Stakeholders present during the conference, enlightened youths on the dangers of drug abuse, illicit substance use and illicit trafficking(NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)
Representative of the NDLEA Chariman, giving his lecture on dangers of drug abuse
Illicit drugs enabling crime, criminality in Nigeria, says Marwa
Drugs
By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, June 29, 2024(NAN) Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has said that illicit drugs and substances abuse was enabling crimes and criminality across the country.
Marwa said this in his presentation during a National Youth Conference organised by the Vanguard Against Drug Abuse (VGADA) detox centre on Friday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is tagged “The Youths, Drugs, Mental Health and Nigeria’s Future.
Marwa said that when youths indulged in drug abuse, the tendency for them to develop anti-social behaviour was high.
This, he said was had in part fueled the insecurity problem the country have on its hands today.
“I am one of the believers in the theory of crime that views the abuse and trafficking of illicit substances as enablers of crime and criminality.
“And in Nigeria of today, we have empirical and circumstantial evidence to back this theory.
“For example, the South East, known for relative calm, has in the past three years, been caught in a vortex of violence.
“The factors responsible for the cycle of violence being perpetrated by young people are many and varied but also do not preclude drug abuse, especially methamphetamine, popularly known as Mmkpuru Mmiri.
“I have heard the arguments time and again, that some young people get creative or inspiration when they smoke cannabis.
“That is balderdash. Did they also tell you that many also run mad or lose their sense of reasoning after smoking cannabis?,”he said.
Marwa said that the best option in any society’s drug control effort was still prevention adding that the more young people that were successfully treated, the lesser the demand for illicit substances by people from this social group.
He said “For the young people listening to me this morning, my appeal to you is simple. Youth is an important period in the human life cycle, a make or mar period.
According to him, It could become a period of lost opportunities due to the use of illicit drugs. And it is a tragedy for any country whose youthful population is given to drug abuse.
“The loss in economic term is often unquantifiable, because, youth who are supposed to be the engine room of the economy and the driver of a country’s GDP, becomes less productive.
“And also more of a burden when the drug culture thrives in society.
“I am sure some of you are familiar with the dire warning regarding the use of tobacco that “smokers are liable to die young.”
“That warning applies also to the abuse of anby illicit substance or any misuse of pharmaceutical drugs.
“Those who abuse drugs or illicit substances are likely to die young and are likely to live a health impaired life in the later years of their lives,”he said.
Marwa said that there were many compelling reasons for any youth not to be caught in the vortex of drug abuse.
“But above all, be reminded that the consequence is not limited to only you, the abuser of the illicit drug, but your family will also be affected, as well as your community and country,”he said.
Earlier, the Convener of GVADA, Dr Hope Omeiza said that the aim of the conference was to sensise all stakeholders for more concerted efforts moving forward in the campaign against drug abuse.
Omeiza, who doubled as the Managing Director, VGADA detox centre said that it also aims at creating avenues for treatment and prevention of those who already suffered drug abuse.
This, he said included those who might be intending going into Drug abuse
“The call for action is calling on all stakeholders which is why here represented are SSA to the President, SA to the President, head of government agencies, MDAs, here to put their thought together
“They need to make a declaration for their support followed up with necessary action for implementation of all that will be said here today.
“As youths, Let us stay away from drug, Drug abuse is not Steeze.
“There are alternatives to maintaining confidence, to getting pleasures, to increasing pleasures and to not be in pain, not drug. It’s not worth the risk, “he said.
Highpoints of event were panel discussions on Effects of drug abuse on Nigerian youths, and way outs and presentations of awards in recognition of those who have contributed in curbing drug abuse in Nigeria.(NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)
Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Malam Shehu Mohammed
Sallah: FRSC recorded 51% reduction in accidents nationwide, says Corps Marshal
Reduction
By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, June 28, 2024(NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Friday says there was a 51 per cent reduction in Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) during the 2024 Eid-el Kabir special patroloperations when compared to the same period in 2023 nationwide.
The Corps Marshal, FRSC, Malam Shehu Mohammed said this during a press briefing on the outcome of the special patrol operations between Friday June 14 and Sunday June 23 in Abuja.
Mohammed said that the Corps had earlier galvanised and engaged all stakeholders in the road transportation sector to ensure that their members drove in strict compliance with established laws.
This, he said could be seen in the series of meetings held with National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), NUPENG-PTD, NARTO, RTEAN, ACOMORON among others to curtail the incessant rate of crashes.
He said that it had become very imperative because the Corps grasped that everybody was a critical stakeholder and also realised that the Corps were already running out of excuses.
He added that it was important for the Corps to commit to the very simple, proactive means that would guarantee hope instead of apprehension in the use of the roads.
According to him, the Corps took full advantage of the opportunity to deliver reduction of fatalities in our country by enforcing laws and educating commuters on safety consciousness.
“This is because we are aware that if we fail on our part, posterity will not pardon our failure to manage the challenges as the scars of our irresponsibility will be deafening.
“Interestingly, during the Eid-el Kabir special patrol, the Corps recorded 51 per cent reduction in RTCs, 38 per cent reduction in number of people involved, and 39 per cent reduction in number of people killed.
“Also, while 35 per cent decrease was recorded in number of people injured, the Corps achieved 41 per cent reduction in number of people rescued without injuries.
“For the sake of clarity, let me provide you with clearer picture in terms of the basic data for the Sallah operations.
According to him, in 2023, the Corps recorded 88 RTCs, this number was reduced in 2024 to 43 representing 51 per cent reduction.
“ In the same vein, in 2023, a total of 522 people were involved in the aforementioned crashes, while 322 got involved in 2024 representing 38 per cent reduction, “he said.
Meanwhile, Mohammed said that a total of 211 people were rescued with injuries in 2023, adding that the figure was against 137 recorded in 2024 representing 35 per cent decrease.
The FRSC boss said that in 2023, 273 victims were rescued without injuries saying that the figure reduced to 162 in 2024 representing 41 per cent reduction.
“To this end, I feel delighted to see that the Corps has made tremendous progress in the actualisation of our corporate mandate.
“However, even though reasonable progress has been recorded in crash reduction in Nigeria, it is still unacceptable, the number of deaths and injuries we recorded during our last outing.
“This is why the Corps is unrelenting in effecting measures that would sternly stem crash and fatality rate in Nigeria, hence the imperatives of doubling our efforts in our future engagements,”he said.
Mohammed commended the doggedness, resilience and capacity of the personnel who risk their lives to save lives on the roads, saying that the success was not achieved by FRSC alone.
The FRSC boss said that the mileage achieved was through a combination of efforts.
“We owe appreciation to the overwhelming support received from the Federal Government, as well as the cooperation of our numerous stakeholders, particularly the media for letting the public know what we do. (NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)
Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Malam Shehu Mohammed
FRSC to withdraw licences of recalcitrant drivers- Corps marshal
Withdrawal
By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, June 28, 2024(NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will henceforth revoke the driver’s licences of recalcitrant drivers.
Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Malam Shehu Mohammed, made this known on Friday in Abuja while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the 2024 Eid-el Kabir Special Patrol Operations held between Friday June 14 to Sunday June 23.
He said that the Corps had realised more than ever before the increasing need for collective participation and collaboration of all stakeholders.
He also said the Corps leveraged on this as a necessary variable tool that would helped in achieving the mileage recorded within the periods under consideration.
According to him, prominent amongst these activities are ;strengthened ongoing Inter-agency Joint Task Force (JTF) to mitigate the excesses of trailer drivers.
“Enforcing compliance on indiscriminate use of trailers to convey human beings.
“This is also including aggressive public enlightenment, robust media engagement and aggressive advocacy campaigns carried out in motor parks across the Federation.
“Finally, there was also the identification and mapping of strategic routes across the country and effective deployment of appropriate personnel and logistics to cover them, “he said.
The FRSC boss said that the Corps had a robust engagement with the leadership of the various Transport Unions, and Security Agencies.
This, he said included State Traffic Management Agencies and the FCT Department of Road Traffic Services.
“All these where done to ensure that every stakeholder, both in public and private sector plays cardinal role in entrenching safety on the highways.
“On the strength of the foregoing, may I bring to your notice that we have added to the conventional enforcement of traffic regulations on articulated vehicles.
“We have gone a step further by commencing prosecution of recalcitrant drivers through Mobile Court operations in the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.
“Subsequently, more drastic measures including suspension and withdrawal of the national drivers license will be carried out, “he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prior to the commencement of the year 2024 Sallah special patrol, the FRSC Corps Marshal had spoken on the mileage to achieve in bringing down the curve of road traffic crashes.
These include fatalities, injuries as well as traffic offenders on the nation’s highways.(NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)
ICA/BEKl/SH
Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Malam Shehu Mohammed, when he arrested a motorist for overloading his vehicle with goods and humans.
FRSC arrested 5,014 traffic offenders during Sallah operations – boss
Offenders
By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, June 28, 2024((NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), arrested 5,014 traffic offenders in its Eid-el Kabir special patrol operations, the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, has said.
Mohammed, while briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja, said that the figure was 22 per cent above the 4,116 offenders arrested within the same period in 2023.
Mohammed said that the nationwide patrol started on Friday, June 14, and ended on Sunday, June 23.
He listed the offences to include seat belt violations, phoning while driving, beating traffic, overloading vehicles with goods and humans, among others.
He reaffirmed his commitment to reducing crashes on the highways and ensuring sanity at all cost.
“Since taking over as the 8th Corps Marshal, I have ensured that the Corps move beyond rhetoric to action.
“A number of concrete actions have been taken which contributed to the successes we have achieved so far.
“Being aware of the challenges confronting the actualisation of our corporate mandate, we have left no stone unturned in our quest to make the roads safe.
“Part of our resolve is to consolidate on the gains recorded so far through the strategic combat operations of the Inter-agency Joint Task Force.
“We have decided to sustain the tempo by extending the operations of the JTF to other critical corridors across the nation.
“The essence of this extension is to give it a holistic approach,” he said.(NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)
Enforcement of traffic laws will bring sanity on Nigerian roads – Dongban- Mensen
Enforcement
By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, June 28, 2024(NAN) The President Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensen, has called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA) to find lasting solutions to unregulated taxi operation and indiscriminate parking of commercial vehicles in the territory.
Dongban-Mensen made the call in Abuja at the opening of the year 2024 Special Marshal National Retreat on Friday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the retreat is “Promoting SafeTransportation Through Public Awareness and Enforcement Strategies.
The President of Court of appeal decried the attitude of some commercial drivers hindering free flow of traffic.
She appealed to the FCT administration and other traffic management agencies to step up awareness campaigns and Enforcement to bring sanity on FCT roads.
“I want to commend FCTA for investing heavily in road rehabilitation and construction.
“There is need for that strict enforcement of traffic laws would bring sanity to FCT roads,”he said.
Dongban- Mensen urged both public and private organisations to always engage the services of special Marshals whenever the need arises, especially during social activities.
Speaking, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr Shehu Mohammed said that the Corps was going to review operations of special Marshals.
This, he said would be in line with global best practices to enhance traffic management in the country.
Mohammed emphasised the importance of special Marshals to traffic control due to the increased number of vehicles on Nigerian roads.
He said that the Corps would continue to appreciate the support of stakeholders in ensuring effective traffic management in the country.
Earlier, the National Coordinator of Special Marshals, Dr John Ugbebor, remembered them of their roles in complimenting FRSC in promoting good driving culture to check road accident.
Ugbebor urged the special Marshals to remain committed to their selfless service and do their best to improve traffic situation in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Stakeholders in the transport sector, traditional rulers, and senior public officials in their separate messages commended the Special Marshals for their contributions towards nation-building.
NAN reports that Dongban -Mensem is also the founder of Kwapda Road Safety Demand Foundation (KRSD).
NAN also reports that during her free time, Dongban-Mensem controls traffic in the capital, Abuja, eight years after her son was killed in a hit-and-run accident.
NAN reports that aside from ensuring free flow of vehicles in the nation’s capital, she also visits motor parks to educate drivers.(NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)
Dr Uju Agomoh and other Stakeholders on Inmates and torture victims welfare
NGO seeks urgent action to end torture
Torture
By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, June 28, 2024(NAN)An NGO, Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) has called for urgent action by African countries to intensify efforts to eradicate torture.
The Executive Director, PRAWA , Dr Uju Agomoh made this in a statement to commemorate the year 2024 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on Friday in Abuja.
Agomoh said that torture was a grave violation of human rights, causing immense physical and psychological suffering adding that despite global advances, many individuals still endured the atrocity.
She said that PRAWA remained steadfast in its mission to create a humane and secure society that corrects and empowers to prevent crime, violence, and torture while providing comprehensive rehabilitation to survivors.
She said “we honour the resilience and strength of torture survivors and commend their courage.
According to her, PRAWA continues to work tirelessly to offer medical, psychological, legal, and social support, ensuring their reintegration into society and promoting their healing journey.
“For three decades, PRAWA has been unwavering in its commitment to eradicating torture and providing holistic support to survivors.
“Since the adoption of the UN Convention Against Torture, serves as a solemn reminder of our ongoing fight to uphold human dignity and justice.
“We once again call upon the Nigerian government and African states to intensify their efforts to eradicate torture.
“Concrete steps must be taken to implement effective legal frameworks, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and provide adequate resources for the support and rehabilitation of survivors.
“The prohibition of torture is absolute and non- negotiable, “she said.
The PRAWA boss further urged government and African states to fully implement and enforce existing anti- torture laws to ensure perpetrators were held accountable.
Agomoh also urged them to allocate resources to support comprehensive rehabilitation programs for survivors of torture.
She appealed for continuous training for law enforcement and security personnel on human rights and the absolute prohibition of torture.
“We urge them to establish and strengthen independent bodies to monitor detention facilities and investigate allegations of torture.
“Also, government need them to resource the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) adequately to enable its effective functioning and full compliance with the provisions of the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention Against Torture, Cruel, Inhumane and Degrading Treatmentor Punishment(OPCAT).
“This includes providing sufficient funding, staffing, and training to ensure the NPM can effectively carry out its mandate, “she said.
The PRAWA boss also called on the international community to support African nations in their fight against torture by providing technical assistance,funding,and capacity-building initiatives.
“As we commemorate this day, let us renew our commitment to a world free from torture, where every individual’s dignity is respected and protected.
“Together, we can make significant strides towards ending torture and supporting survivors, ensuring justice, healing, and a brighter future for all.
“Together, we stand united against torture, “he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Torture Victims Day is observed every June 26 globally.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
