Category: Defence/Security

Drugs

By Thompson Yamput

Lokoja, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Dr Collins Egbeola, Consultant Psychiatrist, Federal University, Lokoja Teaching Hospital, has advised parents and government to take drastic measures against illicit drug abuse and trafficking to save Nigerian youths.

Egbeola gave the advice on Wednesday in Lokoja in a paper he presented at the celebration of this year’s Day Against Substance Use.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that the celebration was organised by the NDLEA, Kogi Command, in  onjunction with the state government,

In the paper titled: “Prevention of substance use disorders: An approach in perspective”, Egbeola emphasised the need to promote healthy living, delay initiation into drug use, prevent development of a disorder and delay of relapse.

He said that the dearth of trained manpower, brain drain syndrome, funding challenge, lack of political will to control access to legal substances due to economic interests, were some of the challenges to drug control in Nigeria.

“Some drug-related realities include adverse effect of substance abuse on individuals, family and society.

“Traditional approach to fighting drug abuse involves supply interruption – reducing opportunity for use – and demand reduction via awareness campaigns.

He said that prevention was cost-effective and could not be compared to the disease burden.

“Prevention should go beyond primary prevention; there is the need for interventions through the whole spectrum.

“Prevention reduces burden of the problem. Government must change theory to focus on individual factors like the risk associated with drugs.

“There is the need to enlist buy-in of all stakeholders like politicians, families, communities, dispensers and prescribers,” he said.

In her remarks, Hajiya Safinat Ododo, wife of Gov. Usman Ododo, represented by the wife of the deputy Governor, Mrs Margaret Oyibo, pledged government’s support to NDLEA in the fight against illicit drugs abuse/trafficking in Kogi.

Safinat called on parents and guardians to watch over their wards to ensure that they did not engage in illicit drugs consumption.

“The youths are the hope of the survival of the country; they must be given good counseling to be responsible and hardworking so as to pilot the affairs of the country in the near future,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
TYC/OJI/ETS

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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka and Ephraims Sheyin

Ogun Gov’s wife seeks ban on sachet alcoholic drinks

Drugs

By Bukola Adetoye

Abeokuta, June 26 , 2024 ( NAN) Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, wife of Ogun governor, has called for a ban on the sale of sachet alcoholic drinks in the country.

Abiodun made the call on Wednesday before the commencement of an awareness walk organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) , Ogun Command, in Abeokuta .

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that Abiodun led the awareness walk against drug abuse to commemorate the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and  Illicit Trafficking.

The theme for the day was ‘The Evidence is Clear ; Invest in Prevention’.

It is a global event celebrated on June 26 each year to strengthen actions and cooperation to achieve a world free of drug abuse and related problems.

Abiodun pointed out that the high rate of illicit drug trafficking and consumption in the state was a pressing issue that needed prompt action.

She said, ” It is very sad that the state ranked high among others in drug abuse.

“The reason, among other factors, is the proximity of the state to the borders.”

Abiodun, who is also the Chairman of Ogun Drug Control Committee (OSDCC) said the infiltration of the sachet alcoholic drinks was worrisome because of their affordability and accessibility for the youths.

She said ,” Our youths are approximately exposed to these sachet drinks because of their availability and affordability .

“They consume the drinks in a high rate in order to get high , which subjects there lives to distress,

“Let us be reminded that these youth are the future leaders of this country,

” If we expect a better Nigeria, with viable development, we should strive harder to protect them from illicit drug use,” Abiodun urged. (NAN)  (www.nannews.ng)
OBA/BRM
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Peace 

By Ishaq Zaki–

Gusau, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Zamfara Government on Wednesday commended “International Alert”  an NGO, for promoting peace building activities in the state.

The Attorney- General of the state and Commissioner for Justice, Abdul’aziz Sani, SAN, stated this in Gusau at a one-day workshop on increasing access to local justice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organized by the NGO.

The International Alert is implementing a project tagged “Promoting Stability, Access to Justice and Accountability in the North-West region of the country”, implemented in Kaduna State and Zamfara.

The workshop was themed: ‘Strengthening local/informal legal system through the Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution’.

The participants of the training included community dialogue facilitators, representatives from MDAs, Security Agencies, NGOs, CSOs among.

The commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Musa Bukkuyum, described the training as `a welcome development’.

He said that access to justice and alternative dispute resolution were in line with Gov. Dauda Lawal’s policy to achieve peace in the state.

The commissioner urged the public to embrace alternative resolutions such as mediation in addressing dispute in their respective communities

“Many cases can be resolved through mediation without going to court.

“Recently, the state ministry of justice established a small claims court with a view of resolving minor cases without going to court.

“The present administration in the state under Gov. Dauda Lawal will continue to support the International Alert and other partners towards achieving their desired goals for the development of the state,’’ he added.

Sani called on all the stakeholders to continue to support the state government’s programmes towards achieving peace building, stability and conflict prevention.

Also speaking, the Country Director of the NGO, Mr Paul Nyulaku, said the workshop is part of activities of the project in the state to promote peace, stability and access to justice.

Nyulaku, represented by the Programme Manager of the NGO, Mr Sunday Jimoh, said that the workshop was aimed at building the capacity and skills of the participants on how to resolve disputes while promoting human rights and respect for statutory laws.

“This workshop will focus on communication skills, qualities of a mediator and basic concepts as it relates to dispute resolution,’’ Nyulaku explained.

In a welcome address, the Chairman of Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI),a  Zamfara-based CSO, Mr Musa Umar,  appreciated the support and cooperation from the stakeholders to the various activities of the NGO aimed at achieving peace in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

IZ/OIF/BRM

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Bashir Rabe Mani

2,600 killed in 50 Benue communities attacks in one year – Amnesty International

Attacks

By Nicholas Dechi

Makurdi, June 26, 2024 (NAN) 2,600 persons, mostly women and children, have been killed following attacks on 50 Benue communities between January 2023 and February 2024, Amnesty International says.

Amnesty International Programme Director, Mrs Barbara Magaji, disclosed this during a photo exhibition and news conference on Wednesday, in Makurdi.

Magaji further said 18 out of the 23 local government areas (LGAs) in the state, were constantly under security threats by armed attackers.

“These attacks are significantly affecting food security and livelihoods because the affected communities are farmers and displacement make them unable to carry out any farming activity.

“These displacements are having significant and adverse effects on the right to livelihoods, and depriving thousands of children of the right to education and development.

“As of March 2023 when the last counting and documentation was done, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and host communities accommodated a total of 489,245 IDPs,” Magaji said.

She further quoted the state’s Ministry of Education and the Teaching Service Board as saying that, at least 55 schools had been destroyed by armed bandits or closed down due to insecurity, leaving hundreds of children out of school.

She stressed the need for Nigerian authorities to end the attacks in Benue because they had a duty to protect lives.

She maintained that governments at all levels must ensure that these attacks were investigated and justice given to victims and their families.

“Nigerian authorities must ensure that suspected perpetrators of human rights abuses are brought to justice through fair trial.

“Nigerian authorities must investigate the security lapses that enabled gunmen to carry out attacks and get away with it.

“People who are displaced must be provided with adequate humanitarian support, standard of living and children’s education must be continued,” Magaji said.

Meanwhile, in his goodwill message, the Commanding Officer, 72 Special Forces Battalion, Lt Col. R.B. Kefas, who was represented by Lt Danjuma Abba, stated that criminality had been curtailed in all the crisis prone areas, promising that the efforts would be sustained.

Also, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Steve Yabanet, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Okon Asuquo, said that the police was working round the clock to reduce criminality to the barest minimum in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.g)

DND/DOR
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Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Commander 13 Brigade, Calabar Brig. Gen. Muftau Ibrahim and Chairman NUJ, Cross River Council during a courtesy visit of the Union to the brigade. 

Security

By Hajara Leman

Gombe,June 26, 2024 (NAN) Directors of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) on Wednesday converged in Gombe, to delibrate on security challenges bedevilling the North-East region.

Mr Habu Sambo, the DSS Director in charge of Gombe State, said this during the inauguration of a three-day retreat in Gombe.

He said the meeting was a significant step towards addressing the security challenges facing the region.

Sambo, who is also the Chairman of the State Directors of Security, North-East zone, said the meeting would also provide a platform to cross fertilise ideas and experiences of best practices as well as forge partnerships on collective efforts to ensure the safety and security of the people.

He commended the Gombe government, residents of the state, religious and community leaders for their cooperation.

The deputy governor of the state, Manassah Jatau tasked the participants to proffer solutions that would identify and tackle emerging challenges like cyber crimes, of kidnapping, terrorism, farmers/herders’ clashes, cattle rustling among others.

“As you spend three days discussing your mandate, I urge you to protect and defend the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, from threats of enemies and those who do not want the prosperity of our nation,”  he said

While commending all the security agencies in the state, Manassah pledged continued government support to the Service.

Also, Mr Hayatu Usman, the Commissioner of Police in Gombe, urged the participants to proffer lasting solution to security challenges in the country’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the event included presentation of plaques to Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, Emir of Gombe,  Abubakar Shehu III and heads of security agencies in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

HUL/EBI/RSA

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Edited by Benson Iziama

Seizures

By Jessica Dogo

Abuja, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), says its 2024 drug report has revealed that 90 per cent of tramadol seized globally in the past five years occurred in Africa.

The UNODC country representative, Oliver Stolpe, disclosed this on Wednesday at the commemoration of the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking in Abuja.

The theme of the event, which titled “ The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention’’ was organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in collaboration with the UNODC and the MTN Foundation.

Stolpe said the African continent was a major transit point and urged Nigeria to invest more on prevention and access to healthcare.

“More than 90 per cent of tramadol seizures over the past five years worldwide were seized in Africa, predominantly West Africa.

“To reduce the evidences here; Nigeria needs to invest more in prevention with some concentration in youths and women.’’

He advised the government to include all public and private secondary schools in its programme against drug abuse.

“The programme should be for all government and private secondary schools and out of school children. We need to sensitise people on the ability to recognise drug use sufferers and help them.

“And the health sector needs response require fundamental upgrade because access remains a major challenge.”

He said UNODC 2024 drug report shows that 292 million or 5.6 per cent of the world population aged between 15 and 64 use drugs in the past year.

“That’s 20 per cent increase over the past ten years, while cannabis remains the main drug used and trafficked in Africa, with West Africa as one of the major entry points in Africa.

“The continent continues to be used as a transit area for drugs such as cocaine, heroin etc. Drugs trafficked to Africa continues to penetrate the local market.

“It is adding to the health challenges already faced in nations where cannabis is used. Tramadol used medically is illicitly manufactured and it is being used illicitly more than the one medically manufactured.”

In his remarks, Chairman of the NDLEA, Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, said the agency’s passion for prevention was due to evidence-based results.

“The imperative to invest in prevention is dictated by evidence-based results that have shown prevention is far more cost effective than dealing with the consequences of drug use disorder.

“At NDLEA, drug use prevention lies at the heart of our strategy in addressing the drug problem as it is far more effective and cost-efficient to prevent drug abuse than to deal with its consequences.

“As part of the reforms being undertaken in the Agency in the last three years, with the support of the Federal Government and various stakeholders, we have invested in prevention programmes.

“The magnitude of our effort is reflected in the statistics of our drug supply reduction activities. We have arrested 52, 901 drug traffickers, including 48 barons, in three and half years.”

Marwa said over 9, 000 suspects have been convicted in court.

“We have also seized over the same periods 7.6 million kilograms of assorted illicit substances,” he said.

In his remarks, the Chairman MTN foundation, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, said MTN saw the need to assist government in some areas and decided to collaborate.

Adelusi-Adeluyi said that in the past 20 years, the foundation had expended N30 billion in different programmes and projects within the country.

“Mtn foundation is 20 years this year and right from the start we made up our mind that Nigeria as a government cannot satisfy needs of all Nigerians and therefore, well meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies should get to see how they can assist.

“In view of that the MTN has made tremendous impact in areas of education, health, economic empowerment, and some other special projects.

“In fact, the MTN foundation has expended more than N30 billion in the process.

“We at the board got together and said to ourselves; while these programmes are going on we must focus on the youths because they holds a very special demographic in the affairs of our nation.

“We did our research and found out that as long as younger generation does not have something to do, something to love, and something to hope for; they will be subject to negative distraction.

“And one of these distractions we identified as substance abuse that is why we started Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP).

“In the area of advocacy, we have done  programmes for schools across the nation, 6,400 students and over 1,400 teachers with 140 public schools.

“The programme was done in 12 states and part of awareness creation we organised a quiz competition,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

JEZ/EBI/ADA

Edited by Benson Iziama/Deji Abdulwahab

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