Crime
Stakeholders Hold Town Hall Meeting, Sets For Collaboration To Tackle Drug Abuse, Addiction
Stakeholders Hold Town Hall Meeting, Sets For Collaboration To Tackle Drug Abuse, Addiction
Stakeholders hold town hall meeting, sets for collaboration to tackle drug abuse, addiction. Mr Olawale said that the meeting was to exchange knowledge, share experiences and brainstorm on ways to tackle drug addiction and abuse in the country.
Stakeholders have called for collaborative efforts in addressing the prevalence of illicit drugs peddling, abuse and addiction in Nigeria.
Stakeholders made the call in their separate contributions during a town hall meeting on drug addiction, organised by an NGO, Best Brain Initiative for Human Development (BBIHD), on Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The theme of the meeting is, “Breaking the Chains of Addiction, Building Community- Led Solutions to Combat Drug Abuse.”
The Convener and Executive Director of BBIHD, Ojewola Olawale, equally launched a book with the title, “Uncaged- Breaking Free from the Chains of Addiction” during the event.
The participants called for a multi-faceted approach that involved societal and family support systems, effective law enforcement and sensitisation campaigns to address the menace.
In his remarks, Mr Olawale said that the meeting was to exchange knowledge, share experiences and brainstorm on ways to tackle drug addiction and abuse in the country.
He underscored the need to combat the widespread availability and use of illicit drugs, which pose significant challenges to the nation’s development.
He noted that collaborative effort from relevant government agencies, private organisations, and individuals was essential to tackling the root causes of drug abuse and implementing sustainable solutions.
He charged the participants to come up with solutions to tackle the menace, which, according to him, is a catalyst to diverse crime.
Mr Olawale explained that his book, “Uncaged – Breaking Free from the Chains of Addiction,” represented his shared commitment to building a safer, healthier and more supportive community.
Representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), A.O. Achichi, decried the involvement of teenage children between 12 and 13 years old in drug abuse and addiction.
Mr Achichi attributed the involvement of the underage girls and boys in illicit drugs to wrong associations and peer groups influence.
He called on the general public to report any drug dependent person or drug peddlers to the agency, saying such information would be confidentially treated.
Also speaking, Oyo State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Kemi Afolayan, said that the agency, in collaboration with the National Assembly in 2024, launched a campaign against drug abuse.
Ms Afolayan urged relevant security agencies to focus more on motor parks, neighbourhood markets, and around school premises where drug peddlers disguised as genuine traders to sell cannabis and other illicit drugs.
She noted that NOA officials in the state had started visiting public schools to create awareness on value orientation, saying such awareness was to inculcate moral values into the pupils and students.
In the same vein, the Oyo State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps, Abel Oche, noted that tackling consumption of illicit drugs was imperative for national progress.
Stakeholders Hold Town Hall Meeting
Mr Oche underscored the importance of addressing root causes, which he stressed contributed to drug abuse among youths and teenagers.
He charged the NDLEA to embark on measures that would address the underlying issues to combat drug peddling and consumption.
A House of Representatives member, Aderemi Oseni, (Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency), urged stakeholders to join forces to tackle the menace of drug abuse and addiction.
Represented by his aide, Dr Ibrahim Okunlola, Mr Oseni underscored the importance of peace and security to national development, saying abuse of drugs pose serious challenges to national security.
He added that there can’t be good governance and economic growth in a society where a high number of youths engage in drug abuse.
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.
EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspects, Trucks for Suspected Illegal Mining Activities in Kwara
Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested ten individuals suspected of involvement in illegal mining activities along the Ilorin – Ogbomosho axis.
They were arrested on Sunday, February 1, 2026, following credible intelligence on unlawful mineral excavation and transportation in parts of Kwara and Oyo States.
The suspects, comprising nine truck drivers and one escort were intercepted and taken into custody in a well -coordinated sting operation. Solid minerals arrested with the suspects include lithium, tin, and lepidolite.
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspects
The suspects have no requisite licences, permits, or regulatory approvals for their mining activities.
Other items recovered from the suspects are trucks loaded with the unlawfully mined materials.
The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
List Of 40 Suspects Detained Over Alleged Plot To Overthrow Tinubu Government
List of 40 suspects detained over alleged plot to overthrow Tinubu Government. Nigerian security agencies have concluded investigations into an alleged coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with at least 40 suspects detained in connection with the conspiracy.
The suspects include senior military officers, a police officer, and several civilians accused of roles ranging from reconnaissance and funding to propaganda.
According to a Premium Times report, the arrests followed a covert intelligence operation coordinated by the Army Headquarters and the State Security Service (SSS).
“Thirteen people were apprehended by the SSS, including two military personnel (one retired), one policeman, and ten civilians,” one source said.
In total, 16 serving military officers were detained for direct involvement, while others were linked to funding and incitement. Two civilians were reportedly recruited to incite civil unrest intended to justify the coup.
According to the online newspaper, one of the detained soldiers was said to have escaped custody but was later rearrested by SSS operatives in Bauchi State, according to insider accounts.
Recall that on Monday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that the investigation had been completed and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
“Findings identified several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” the military said, describing the act as “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Sources said authorities are now awaiting presidential approval to constitute a court-martial panel to try the indicted soldiers.
Investigations revealed that the coupists initially planned to disrupt the May 29, 2023 handover ceremony from former President Muhammadu Buhari to President Tinubu, but the plan was shelved due to lack of funds and logistics.
The conspiracy was allegedly reactivated in 2025, after former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva purportedly transferred nearly ₦1 billion through multiple Bureau De Change accounts to fund the operation.
Sylva and a retired senior officer identified as Major General Adamu, both accused of bankrolling the plot, are reportedly at large.
Security sources said one of the fugitive suspects has been tracked to a South American country, though his precise location remained undisclosed for security reasons.
Investigators also uncovered a chilling plan to assassinate top government officials, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
“They were waiting for a day when all of them would be in the country. Wherever they were, they would be assassinated,” one source revealed.
The plot allegedly relied on informants inside the Presidential Villa, who monitored the movements of top officials. The conspirators were to seize control of strategic locations such as the Presidential Villa, Niger Barracks, Armed Forces Complex, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Military
Hereunder is the full list of the alleged coupists arrested
MA Sadiq (Brigadier General) Army lHeadquarters Garrison
MA Ma’aji (Colonel) Defence Space Administration
S Bappah (Lt. Colonel) 525 Signal Regiment
AA Hayatu (Lt Colonel) 130 Battalion Main, Ogoja, Cross River State
P Dangnap (Lt Colonel) 134 Special Force Battalion
M Almakura (Lt Colonel) 197 Special Force Battalion
AA Jarma (Lt Colonel) CO, 35 Battalion Katsina
SM Gana (Lt Colonel) 115 Task Force Battalion
AD Dauda (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
JM GANAKS (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
AJ Ibrahim (Maj) Army Headquarters’ Department of Policy and Plans
MM Jiddah (Maj) 26 Battalion
MA Usman (Maj) 35 Battalion
D Yusuf (Maj) Forward Operating Base Molai (AHQ SG)
J Iliyasu (Maj) 3 Division Garrison
A Mohammed (Maj) 63 Brigade Garrison
DB Abdullahi (Lt Cdr) Naval Base Abuja
SB Adamu (Sqn Ldr) National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC)
NG Zuzu (Sqn Ldr) Headquarters, Nigeria Air Force Camp
G Binuga (Captain) 1 NMF Brigade
AA Yusuf (Captain) Nigerian Army of the School of Finance and Administration (NASFA)
1 Bello (Captain) 82 Division Garrison
SS Felix (Lt) 81 Division Provost Group
J Aminu (Lt) Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR)
Nasiru Ibrahim (WO) 82 Division Garrison
Sanda Usman (Sgt) 167 Special Force Battalion
Mohammed Zubairu (Sgt) 177 Guards Battalion
Momoh Audu (Cpl) 343 Artillery Regiment
Ahmed Ibrahim (Inspector) 24 Police Mobile Force, Presidential Villa
EO Victor (Navy Capt/Rtd) 3 Abraham Avenue off Odili Road, Port Harcourt
Umoru Zekeri Julius Berger, Villa Electrician
Y Nasiru (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
Sambo Danladi (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
Abdul Abdullahi (SSgt) 82 Division Garrison
Ali Isah Villa Ambulance Driver
ML Mohammed (Capt) 18 Battalion
UI Yusuf (Wg Cdr) International/Helicopter Flying School, Enugu
IM Gana (Maj Gen Rtd) No 34 A Army Estate, Kubwa, Abuja
Stanley Kingley Amandi Propagandist
Goni Bukar
Security sources confirmed that joint operations involving multiple agencies are underway to dismantle remaining cells and track fleeing suspects. The EFCC and SSS are also interrogating several civilians over alleged roles in funding, logistics, and coordination.
At least 25 military personnel are expected to face trial in connection with the plot, according to sources close to the investigation.
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