Category: News

The Chairman of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Buba Marwa, has declared that trafficking illicit substances through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos has become an almost insurmountable challenge, thanks to reinforced security measures and intensified anti-narcotics operations.

Marwa emphasized that the Lagos airport now ranks among the most rigorously monitored air travel hubs worldwide in the battle against drug smuggling. He shared these insights during a meeting at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, where he hosted a delegation from Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission, led by Director-General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, who were on a study tour to observe the agency’s operational methods.

The NDLEA chief stressed the critical need for stronger collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana to effectively counter the growing threat of drug trafficking and associated criminal networks across West Africa. He stated, ‘By pooling our resources and sharing expertise in intelligence-driven operations and interdiction techniques, we are systematically reducing the operating space for criminal syndicates in our sub-region.’

Marwa noted that the visit transcends a mere routine study program; it represents a deliberate effort to fortify strategic partnerships between the two anti-drug bodies. He explained that the engagement would facilitate the exchange of ideas on intelligence gathering, digital forensics, and institutional best practices. He added that such enhanced cooperation would accelerate efforts to dismantle illicit drug networks, curb the production of psychotropic substances, and combat money laundering tied to narcotics trafficking.

A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NDLEA and NACOC, formalizing their partnership. Marwa hailed this agreement as a major milestone in strengthening coordinated action against drug syndicates in the region. ‘This pact to combat the illegal production of psychotropic substances, their precursors, and related money laundering gives us both a legal and operational framework. It transforms our relationship from informal dialogue into a structured, aggressive, and united front against drug barons,’ he declared.

In his remarks, Mantey underscored that the visit aimed to reinforce the existing bond between the two countries and enhance operational synergy. ‘For us, this is not about starting a new chapter but about building on a solid foundation—deepening trust, sharing experiences, and making our collaboration more practical and impactful,’ he said. He further observed that drug trafficking activities in the region are growing increasingly complex, necessitating robust cross-border alliances to tackle emerging threats effectively.

In a targeted operation against insurgent supply chains, military forces in Borno State have detained six individuals believed to be involved in providing logistics support to terrorist groups. The arrests occurred during a routine road maintenance exercise conducted by the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai.

The operation was carried out by troops from the 5 Brigade under the auspices of Operation Desert Sanity. According to security analyst and counter-insurgency specialist Zagazola Makama, who shared details on his X handle, the suspects were taken into custody around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Those apprehended include Madu Bagoni Bunu, 32; Kaka Hana, 28; Kwado Bukar, 25; Modu Goni Musa, 28; Lahari Hassan Taira, 30; and Bulama M. Kiari, 25. They were traveling in an Isuzu pickup with registration number YOBE AF 106 GDM and attempted to flee upon noticing the troops. However, they abandoned the vehicle and tried to escape on foot but were pursued and captured.

Authorities recovered several items from the suspects, including five mobile phones of brands such as Redmi, Infinix, Tecno, and Itel, as well as two new sewing machines. Additionally, ten bundles of assorted clothing materials were seized, which are suspected to be intended for manufacturing terrorist uniforms. Other items include five 25-liter containers of groundnut oil, two sacks of different green tea varieties, seven large wraps of kola nuts, an empty jerrycan, two ATM cards from OPay and Moniepoint, the Isuzu pickup, and a sum of N5,077,700 in cash.

The suspects are currently being held at the 5 Brigade facility, where preliminary investigations are underway. This operation is part of broader efforts to dismantle terrorist logistics networks and cut off supplies to insurgent factions operating in the North-East region. The military noted that while the overall security situation remains calm yet unpredictable, troop morale and operational effectiveness continue to be satisfactory.

On Wednesday, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, convened at the Force Headquarters in Abuja to devise a comprehensive security blueprint for the upcoming elections. The high-level meeting, which included top police brass and INEC commissioners, focused on ensuring peaceful and credible polls amid ongoing security challenges.

Professor Amupitan underscored the necessity of proactive security measures and specialized training for personnel. He particularly highlighted the need to create a safe voting environment for internally displaced persons and individuals with disabilities, enabling them to exercise their franchise without intimidation.

In response, IGP Disu described the meeting as a vital step for democratic stability. He outlined the Nigeria Police Force’s strategic initiatives, including intelligence mapping to curb political violence and cultism, secure logistics for election materials, coordinated multi-agency operations, and counter-disinformation efforts. He affirmed that all officers deployed for election duties would operate strictly within constitutional and electoral legal frameworks.

Disu assured that personnel are undergoing rigorous training on rules of engagement and human rights protection. He reiterated a zero-tolerance policy for professional misconduct, warning that any officer found wanting would face disciplinary action. The IGP pledged full police support to INEC and called for unwavering collaboration from all stakeholders to ensure a smooth electoral process.

The Katsina State Government has officially launched a new policy aimed at ensuring the safety and security of schools across the state. Governor Dikko Umaru Radda introduced the Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools Policy, emphasizing the importance of protecting students, teachers, and educational facilities from various threats.

During the launch event, Governor Radda described the initiative as a significant step forward in safeguarding education and securing the future of children in Katsina. He highlighted that education is fundamental to development and peace, and meaningful learning can only thrive in safe and secure settings.

The governor expressed deep concern over the growing challenges facing schools, including insecurity, gender-based violence, bullying, gang activities, substance abuse, and environmental hazards. He noted that schools in Katsina have experienced incidents that disrupt learning and endanger lives.

“This is not just the unveiling of a policy document, but a clear declaration of our commitment to ensuring that every school in Katsina becomes a safe haven for learning,” Radda stated.

The policy is adapted from the 2021 national framework on safe schools, tailored to address local realities and challenges within the state. According to the governor, the framework prioritizes prevention and preparedness, strengthens early warning systems, emergency response, and recovery mechanisms, and provides psychosocial support for affected learners and teachers.

Radda further explained that the policy integrates school safety into planning, budgeting, and implementation processes at all government levels. It clearly defines the responsibilities of key stakeholders, including government agencies, schools, security institutions, parents, and community leaders, in creating safer learning environments across the state.

In a decisive operation, troops from the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army successfully intercepted a terrorist logistics network and secured the release of kidnapped individuals in Kogi State. The efforts, detailed in a statement by Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Brigade, highlight the military’s ongoing commitment to combating insecurity in the region.

During the operation, personnel rescued nine individuals from the Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage, comprising five boys, two girls, and two adult females believed to be the orphanage proprietor’s wives. All survivors were swiftly transported to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre, where they received necessary medical care and first aid.

In a separate but related incident on the same day, troops acting on actionable intelligence about an arms syndicate apprehended a suspected ammunition courier along the Obajana–Lokoja road in Lokoja Local Government Area. The suspect, identified as Yahaya Umar, was caught with 500 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition cleverly hidden inside a bag of maize to avoid detection.

Preliminary investigations reveal that Umar served as a key logistics courier for terrorists, facilitating the movement of arms and ammunition across states in the North Central region. Interrogations suggest the ammunition was handed to him at the Obajana Forest, intended for transport to Dikko Junction in Suleja, Niger State, for a yet-to-be-identified terrorist recipient.

The suspect remains in custody, undergoing further questioning as part of efforts to dismantle the broader criminal network and apprehend additional syndicate members.

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, has advised students to stay away from cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice, and other unlawful activities, emphasizing that such behaviors can ruin their future and disrupt societal peace. He delivered this warning during a meeting with students and lecturers from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) at the police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, on Wednesday.

The delegation, comprising faculty and students from the Department of Geology and Geophysics, visited as part of a fieldwork excursion in Ogun State. Leading the group was Professor Akinmosin Adewale, who coordinated the academic trip. According to a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the visit served as an opportunity for academic interaction and to boost collaboration between the police and academia regarding youth development and public safety education.

In his address, the Commissioner urged the students to remain disciplined, focused, and forward-looking, reiterating that a solid education is essential for personal achievement and the nation’s progress. He stressed that values such as integrity, hard work, and discipline are the pillars of enduring success.

Professor Adewale, in his remarks, praised the Commissioner for his effective internal security measures and for advancing community policing initiatives across Ogun State. He thanked the police for the warm reception, noting that exposure to security institutions fosters civic responsibility among young scholars.

Senior police officers, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration) DCP Ibrahim Abdul, Deputy Commissioner of Police (State Criminal Investigation Department) DCP Gbenga Adeoye, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Administration) ACP Akinmoladun Olu Moore, also addressed the students. They underscored the significance of lawful behavior, patriotism, and responsible citizenship. They encouraged the students to become advocates for peace and partners in ensuring community safety within their academic settings.

A student representative, Mr. Adeniyi Oluwatobi, spoke on behalf of the delegation, expressing deep gratitude to the Commissioner and his team for the warm reception, mentorship, and the meaningful engagement.

The Nigerian Senate has taken a decisive step to address growing concerns over DSTV’s billing system in the country. During a plenary session on Wednesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio highlighted a significant disparity in how the service operates in Nigeria versus South Africa. He pointed out that subscribers in Nigeria lose their subscription days even when they are not using the service, which he described as unfair.

Akpabio noted that in South Africa, if a customer travels for an extended period, their subscription remains intact until they return and reactivate it. However, in Nigeria, the same benefit does not apply. Subscribers find their paid days consumed regardless of whether they are using the service or not. This practice, he argued, places an undue burden on Nigerian families who often travel for holidays and return to find their subscriptions exhausted.

Drawing a parallel to electricity billing, Akpabio expressed frustration that consumers are charged for power they do not utilize. He mentioned communities where transformers have been non-functional for months, yet residents continue to receive monthly bills. This comparison underscores a broader issue of consumers being made to pay for services they are not receiving.

In response to these concerns, Akpabio directed the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications to summon DSTV for an explanation. He made it clear that Nigerians should not be compelled to pay for services that are not being rendered. The move aims to ensure that DSTV aligns its billing practices with those in its home country, where customers are treated more fairly.

A prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) figure and former Chairman of Kano Municipal Local Government, Faiz Alfindiki, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s performance in northern Nigeria, dismissing criticism as politically motivated propaganda.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Alfindiki asserted that more than half of the federal government’s major national projects—over 52 percent—are situated in the northern region, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to the area.

According to the APC chieftain, the government is currently executing road projects spanning more than 1,400 kilometers across the North, with a combined value exceeding N7.21 trillion. He described these initiatives as clear evidence that the region is receiving significant attention and investment.

Alfindiki urged the public to focus on tangible achievements rather than misleading narratives. “The era of propaganda and misinformation is over. Real development is driven by action, planning, and dedication—not empty noise,” he stated.

His remarks come as the 2027 general election approaches, with President Tinubu seeking a second term. Notable political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso have expressed interest in challenging Tinubu for the presidency.

The chieftain cautioned against allowing politically driven stories to overshadow the administration’s achievements in the North, emphasizing that measurable progress should be the basis for assessment.

Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent figure within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has asserted that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, left the ADC due to a reluctance to engage in competitive internal elections. In a recent interview on ARISE News, Okonkwo clarified that Obi’s departure was not rooted in ideological conflicts or internal party strife. Instead, he alleged that Obi has a consistent record of sidestepping open primary contests throughout his political journey. Okonkwo stated that Obi’s decision to quit the ADC stemmed from an aversion to free and fair primaries, emphasizing that Obi has historically preferred political maneuvering over electoral competition. He pointed out that Obi has yet to participate in a primary election and predicted that this pattern will persist throughout his political career.

In a move signaling unity ahead of the 2027 elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has decided to bypass its standard screening process for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) reached this decision during its 188th meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to a statement from the party’s spokesperson, Felix Morka, the NWC considers Tinubu as already qualified under the party’s constitution to participate in the upcoming primary elections. This exemption stems from the president’s prior screening before the 2022 primaries, which the NWC deems sufficient for the current electoral cycle.

Morka highlighted that Tinubu has garnered widespread backing from key party stakeholders, including the Progressive Governors Forum, National Assembly leadership, and other party organs. This support was notably expressed during the APC National Summit on May 22, 2025, and other major party events.

The NWC argued that requiring the incumbent president to appear before a screening committee would be redundant and unnecessary. As the party’s leader and sitting president, his previous clearance, combined with overwhelming endorsements, renders a fresh screening superfluous.