ECOWAS Sets To Deploy Standby Force After Failed Coup In Benin Republic

ECOWAS sets to deploy standby force after failed coup in Benin Republic. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, has condemned an attempted coup by a group of soldiers in Benin Republic.

On Sunday, gunshots were heard near President Patrice Talon’s residence as armoured vehicles deployed in the presidential palace patrolled the precinct.

The group, which labelled itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, said the president and all political officeholders have been effectively removed, and that all institutions have been dissolved.

ECOWAS

The presidency subsequently announced that Talon is safe and the “regular” army is regaining control.

In a statement few hours later, the ECOWAS commission said the “unconstitutional move” was a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.

France Will Intensify Counter-Terror Assistance To Nigeria, Says President Macron

France will intensify counter-terror assistance to Nigeria, says President Macron. French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to strengthen France’s support for Nigeria in tackling terrorism and other security challenges, following a discussion with President Bola Tinubu.

In a tweet on Sunday, Macron said he had conveyed France’s solidarity with Nigeria in the face of “various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the north”.

The French leader added that, at Tinubu’s request, France would intensify its partnership with Nigerian authorities and provide additional support to populations affected by violence.

Macron also called on other international partners to step up engagement, warning that “no one can remain a spectator” in addressing the threat posed by violent extremist groups.

“I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria, @officialABAT. I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North,” he wrote.

“At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations. We call on all our partners to step up their engagement. No one can remain a spectator.”

President Macron, Tinubu

Macron is the first world leader to speak on Nigeria’s security situation weeks after US President Donald Trump redesignated the country as a “country of particular concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.

France and Nigeria have maintained a growing military partnership, especially in the areas of training, technology‑transfer and joint maritime security efforts.

NDLEA Destroys Illicit Drug Warehouses In Ondo, Ekiti Forests

NDLEA destroys illicit drug warehouses in Ondo, Ekiti forests. A total of 2,483 compressed blocks of skunk and 247 bags of the same substance, all weighing 5,442 kilogrammes, were recovered, and five suspects were arrested.

Operatives of a special operations unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency stormed forests in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti, destroying 14,654 kilograms of skunk and arresting two suspects.

The agency disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. It said the operatives in another operation on December 2 stormed the forests in Asin-Ekiti, Ikole LGA, Ekiti, where they destroyed 54,300kg of skunk in two large warehouses that were razed.

It said that 28.3kg of the same psychoactive substance was recovered for the purpose of prosecution.
NDLEA operatives raided the Igoba forest in Akure North LGA, Ondo, on December 2. A total of 2,483 compressed blocks of skunk and 247 bags of the same substance, all weighing 5,442 kilogrammes, were recovered, and five suspects were arrested.

According to the anti-narcotics agency, 500kg of the same substance was recovered from a Mercedes-Benz van marked MGU 614 XB by NDLEA officers on patrol along Mokwa-Jebba road in Niger, on December 4, with the driver arrested.

It disclosed that NDLEA operatives in the FCT Abuja on December 3 intercepted a consignment of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis, weighing 22kg at Abaji expressway. A follow-up operation at the Jabi park in Abuja led to the arrest of a female receiver.
Also in the FCT, a suspect was arrested by operatives on Friday with 24kg of skunk and 573,500 pills of exol-5 along the Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives recovered 217 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 113kg from a suspect at Ladipo Market, Mushin.
A suspect was nabbed with 351kg of skunk at the Onipanu area of the state on December 5,  adding that another suspect was arrested with 104.1kg of the same psychoactive substance at the Trade Fair complex, Ojo, on December 2.

NDLEA Destroys Largest Seizure

A total of 447.5 kilogrammes of skunk were recovered from two Honda Accord cars marked: ABC-678 KK and GGE-772 FB at Agho forest, Akoko Edo LGA, Edo.

A suspect was apprehended in connection with the seizure. A raid operation at a warehouse in the Isiefve community, Uhunwonde LGA, led to the seizure of 315.8kg of skunk and the arrest of a male suspect.

“With the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities, among others, in the past week,” said the statement.

These include WADA sensitisation lectures to students and staff of St. Michael’s Academy, Sabon Gari, Kano; Harry Pass Secondary School, Masaje, Gboko LGA, Benue; and Community Junior Secondary School, Okuru-Ama, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers, among others.