Category: Defence/Security

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)

ICA/KOO/BRM

===============

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Bashir Rabe Mani

Late Adm. Ogohi was patriotic till end – CDS

Mourning

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, June 30, 2024 (NAN) The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has mourned the passing of Nigeria’s 8^th CDS, retired Adm. Ibrahim Ogohi.

This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in Sunday in Abuja.

The  CDS  said other service chiefs also joined the family of the late Admiral and all the  Nigerian people to mourn the exit of the distinguished naval officer,who ,he said ,was patriotic till the end.

The CDS also described the late Ogohi  as   a distinguished elder statesman ,who  provided his wealth of experience to the armed forces ,even after retirement .

He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant his soul peaceful repose.

According to the statement , late Ogohi died in the early hours of Sunday, at a hospital in Abuja after a brief illness at 75.

He was born in Okura Lafia in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, on Nov. 14, 1948.

In 1967, he enrolled into the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna as a member of 4th Regular Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 1970.

He was a Principal Warfare Specialist Officer ,who majored in Under Water Warfare.

Ogohi started his military training as a Midshipman in the United Kingdom in 1971 and attended the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course in India in 1972.

He also attended his Staff and Defence courses at the United States Naval War College in 1980 and 1991 respectively.

The late Admiral held several appointments in the Nigerian Navy including; Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Ship YOLA – 1976 – 1977; Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Ships OTOBO and DORINA – 1980 and Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Ship EKUN – 1982.

He became the Naval Provost Marshall in 1982 and commanded Nigerian Navy Ship ANANSA from 1985 – 1986.

The late Admiral was the Director of Administration Nigerian Defence Academy from 1986 – 1987 and a Directing Staff at the National War College (now National Defence College) from 1992 – 1993.

In 1995, he was appointed Chief of Policy and Plans at the Naval Headquarters and became Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, in May 1996.

He was promoted Rear Admiral in July 1996 and promoted Vice Admiral in June 2000. He became Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff in 1999 and retired as Admiral in 2003 after 33 years of distinguished service to the nation.

While in the Service, Admiral Ogohi was decorated with the Forces Service Star, passed staff course, fellow of the United States War College and Distinguished Fellow of the National War College.

He was also conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic by then President Olusegun Obasanjo. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OYS/BHB

========

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

There’ll be peace across Nigeria in foreseeable future – COAS

Peace

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, June 30, 2024 (NAN) The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt..-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has assured Nigerians of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to combating all threats and ensuring peace across Nigeria in the foreseeable future.

Lagbaja gave the assurance during the Inter-denominational Church Service in commemoration of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2024 on Sunday in Abuja.

He said the threats that Nigeria was facing as a nation were complex and adaptive, assuring that the troops were adapting to the situation.

“I would say we are one step ahead of the threats and in doing so we have been able to restore peace to some parts of the country, ” he said.

He said that in the areas where the army was still experiencing challenges, the authorities were  reviewing the situation.

“We are tweaking with our strategy and the troops are raring to go and we will continue to provide the necessary support to the troops in the front line.

“My pledge to the nation is that the army will continue to be up and doing, the troops will continue to combat the threat and in the foreseeable future we will experience peace all across the nation,” he said.

The COAS called on Nigerians to continue to support the army by providing information, moral, spiritual and whatever support to enable it to address the situation.

Lagbaja said,  “With this support, the soldiers in the front line will be motivated to give their all in the defence of the nation and in doing that, we will experience sustainable peace across the nation.”

He thanked the clergy for their diligence in lifting holy hands in prayers on behalf of the Nigerian army families, particularly those in the front lines and the families they left behind.

Lagbaja also congratulated officers and men of the army and members of their families as it marked its 161 years since its inception and counted its successes.

He said the service had experienced wars, low-intensity conflicts, and military operations other than war, such as peacekeeping/peace enforcement and military aid to civil authority engagements.

The army chief said Nigeria today boasts of a force that is globally reckoned with, renowned for its tenacity and adaptability and a force that is victory-focused.

He added that the Nigerian army understood the underlying spiritual component of fighting power, and ascribed battle successes to God as conspicuously captured by its motto: “Victory is from God Alone.”

“I believe it is in recognition of the place of thankfulness to God for the past year and the need to seek divine guidance and blessings for a new year that our forefathers initiated the NADCEL religious activities.

“Therefore, our gathering today is to thank the Almighty for His guidance over the past year and seek His continued blessings, grace, and favour.

“Like the eagle bird that symbolises strength in the army logo, we have congregated before the Almighty to renew our strength to soar higher and accomplish missions in the new year,” he said.

Lagbaja said that the NADCEL Church service was also to commemorate the fallen warriors, celebrate the living and pray for a brighter future for the Nigerian army.

He urged all to keep praying for the repose of the souls of their beloved colleagues who had paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty defending the nation as well as for the recovery of the growing population of wounded-in-action warriors.

The Director, Chaplain Services (Roman Catholic), Nigerian Army, Brig..-Gen. Anthony Maimagani, said the theme of the Interdenominational Church Service was, ‘Integrating Religious Morals in the Society: Imperative in Combating Contemporary Security Challenges in a Joint Environment’.

Maimagani said the Nigerian army believed that victory only comes from God as encapsulated in its motto.

He said it was God that guided personnel and gave them inner courage to fight to overcome the enemy.

According to him, prayer is a key thing in their lives as they struggle with insecurity in the country.

“That is why we talk about a non kinetic way of dealing with this insecurity and prayer is one aspect of dealing with such insecurity,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OYS/BEN/BRM

=================

Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Bashir Rabe Mani

Arrest
By Nabilu Balarabe
Damaturu, June 30, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Yobe on Sunday said it arrested three vigilante members for allegedly stealing building materials in Damaturu.

The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed the arrest in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu.

He said the suspects – Ibrahim Mohammed, Hassan Umar and Ali Yakubu – were arrested on June 27, after they connived and broke into a shop in the metropolis, which the owner engaged them to guard.

The spokesman said they would be charged with criminal conspiracy, house trespass, burglary, receiving and trading in stolen property.

Abdulkarim noted that there were several complaints about untoward behaviour of vigilante members, prompting the state Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed, to call for a review of  their registration.

“In view of their important role otcomplementing security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality, this development is sad and unfortunate.

“There have been series of complaints of untoward actions by some of those outfit members,” he said.

The spokesman announced that the command was developing a strategic plan for proper documentation and supervision of Divisional Police Offices over vigilante activities in their jurisdiction.

Abdulkarim advised the public to be vigilant while engaging personal security guards and report criminal elements within the group to the police.

He also called on the public to report erring security personnel to the state Police headquarters or write a complaint to the commissioner through the spokesman.(NAN)www.nannews.ng

NB/YGA

=======

Edited by Gabriel Yough

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)

ICA/ETS

=======

Time to embrace state police is now –  AIG

Police

By Usman Aliyu

Benin, June 30, 2024 (NAN) A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ambrose Aisabor says it’s time for Nigeria to embrace state police to mitigate the security situation in the country.

Aisabor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Benin that the failure of the centralised police system to nip insecurity in the last 15 years necessitated the need for a decentralised policing.

“It is time to embrace state police; the debate whether or not Nigeria should go for state police has been raging with many Nigerians urging the government to embrace it.

“The question now is why are many people clamouring for state police? It is principally due to the failure of the federal police.

“Due to the new dynamics in security, the centre can no longer hold (water). The security situation in the country is getting worse on a daily basis.

“When is Nigeria going to be ripe for state police? The main argument is that state governors will misuse the outfit; but police are susceptible to misuse at every level of government.

“So many civilised countries are practicing multilevel policing. There are always safeguards for checks and balances.

“When you look at what we are having now, most of the police requirements are already being borne by the various state governments.

“Apart from salaries and allowances which the federal government is responsible for, other logistics needs of the police are being handled by governors,” he said.

The retired police chief explained that even the community policing that was being set up could only thrive well under the states.

“You cannot decree community policing from Abuja; the states are closer to the people than Abuja,” Aisabor said.

He noted that many countries practicing multilevel policing were enjoying the system.

According to him, these countries do not have policing at the state level alone, they also have at the local, educational and big companies’ level.

He stated that the chance of any Inspector-Inspector of Police (IGP) supporting the idea was slim for the obvious reason of loss of power and control. (NAN) (www.nannews.com)

AUO/JI

Edited by Joe Idika

Former defence chief, Adm. Ogohi dies at 75

Death

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, June 30, 2024 (NAN) A former Chief of Defence Staff, Adm. Ibrahim Ogohi, has passed on after a brief illness at the age of 75.

In a brief statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Sunday, the former defence chief died in the early hours of Sunday, at his Abuja home.

He was the defence chief between 1999 and 2003, and was the first Nigerian Navy officer to attain a four-star general rank.

“With deep sorrow, I announce the death of Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi (rtd), a former Chief of Defence Staff (1999-2003).

“He passed on in Abuja in the early hours of today. More details will be communicated later,” Gusau said.

Born on Nov.14, 1948, Ogohi hails from Okura Olafia in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

According to his public profile, he had his early education at St John’s College, Kaduna, from 1962 to 1966 and enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1967 of regular course 4, passing out in 1970.

Ogohi attended his Midshipman course in the UK in 1971, and technical course in India in 1972, under water Warfare Course India in 1976, then the U.S. Naval War College Course in 1980 and 1992.

He was Commanding Officer, Eken NNS France in 1982; Commander NNS Anansa in 1985, and Director of Administration at the NDA from 1986 to 1987.

In 1992, he was Directing Staff in the National War College, and Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command Staff College, Jaji in 1995.

In May 1999, he was appointed Chief of Defence Staff till 2003. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OYS/DOR

=======

Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

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)

ICA/SH

=======
edited by Sadiya Hamza