Northerners Score Government High In Fight Against Banditry, Terrorism

Northerners score Government high in fight against banditry, terrorism. Mr Abdullahi said northerners were now more mindful and security conscious, helping security agencies more than before.

Anorthern-based socio-cultural group, Gamji Heritage, has scored the President Bola Tinubu-led administration high in its fight against banditry, terrorism and other forms of insecurity.

“I had said before now that we need to commend the federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, for the fight against terrorism, banditry and general insecurity,” the group’s president-general, Ahmed Abdullahi, said in a statement on Sunday.

Mr Abdullahi also advised that the fight should not be left in the hands of the government alone.
The president-general particularly said the north had no other option than to tackle the problems of insecurity, which had posed a serious challenge to the zone headlong.

“Still, there is a lot to be done. There was an exposé in America where President Donald Trump revealed the interference and sponsorship of terrorism by certain agencies of America, especially USAID.

“Our major concern in this matter is to ensure that nothing is done to undermine nations, especially the number one pride of the black race, which is Nigeria.
“Nigeria needs to make progress; Nigeria needs to be at peace, and it needs to develop and advance in the interest of Africa and the black race,’’ he said.

Mr Abdullahi said northerners were now more mindful and security conscious, helping security agencies more than before.
“Take the issue of Katsina State for example; the state government has now established a vigilance outfit which is assisting the security agencies.

“And I want to recommend this for other states because it is working and has succeeded in bringing down the rate of insecurity in the state,’’ he said.

Terrorists

Corroborating the concerns expressed by Mr Trump, Mr Abdullahi said some international NGOs were actually aiding and abetting banditry and terrorism in the north.

“When the state started registering the NGOs in order to closely look into their activities like in Katsina, insurgency activities went down significantly,’’ he said.

On the allegation that some traditional and community leaders were aiding and abetting banditry and terrorism in some parts of the country, he described the development as abominable and unacceptable.

NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine Concealed In Shoes, Prayer Beads

NDLEA intercepts cocaine concealed in shoes, prayer beads. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have intercepted cocaine concealed in prayer beads and locally made shoes.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. He shared pictures of the seized contraband on X, saying some suspects were arrested by the anti-narcotics agency.

NDLEA

“In this holy month, when people are consecrating themselves and making supplications to their God, some persons were preoccupied with concealing cocaine in prayer beads and locally made shoes to desecrate the precincts of the holy land in the holy month,” Babafemi said.

“They were, however, intercepted by #ndlea_nigeria officers as shown by the attached pictures.”

Navy Seizes 13,800 Litres Of Petrol, 71 Bags Of Foreign Rice In Lagos

Navy seizes 13,800 litres of petrol, 71 bags of foreign rice in Lagos. Mr Omotayo stated that the navy was increasing efforts to combat smuggling and criminal activities along the Badagry-Porto Novo creeks.

The Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry of the Nigerian Navy has intercepted 13,800 litres of petrol and 71 bags of foreign rice in multiple operations along Badagry creeks.

The Commanding Officer of FOB Badagry, Navy Captain Oyeleye Omotayo, in a statement on Sunday in Badagry, Lagos State, confirmed that the seizures occurred between March 7 and 14.

He said naval operatives acted on intelligence received about suspected smugglers operating in the area, leading to the interception of the items during separate operations.
“In continuation of the fight against smuggling within our Area of Operation in Badagry, a target operation was launched on Friday, March 14, at 2:54 a.m.,” Mr Omotayo said

He added that the operation focused on intercepting smugglers and confiscating products intended for illegal export.

He said,  “The smugglers initially evaded our water patrol, but were intercepted by our land patrol unit around 3:30 a.m. During the operation, 71 bags of foreign rice were found being smuggled. The items were seized, while the suspects fled upon sighting our patrol at 4:22 a.m.’’

He noted that the seized rice has been taken to the base for further necessary action in accordance with procedures.

He said that on the same day, the intelligence team received a report at 12:15 a.m. about petrol being stockpiled at a beach near Bollington in Badagry creeks.
The intelligence indicated that the products were to be smuggled by wooden boats through Nigeria’s territorial waters into Benin Republic.

“Our team swiftly responded to the intelligence and moved to the location. Upon arrival, four vehicles intended for smuggling were found at the shoreline, but the suspects escaped with their keys,” he said
While searching the area, 234 jerry cans of 25 litres each, totalling about 5,850 litres of petrol, were discovered and taken to the base.

He further disclosed that 7,770 litres of petrol were also seized in other operations conducted in Badagry communities.
“On March 7, 6,770 litres of petrol in 30 and 40-litre jerry cans were seized at a filling station, along with 188 empty jerry cans.

On March 8, 40 jerry cans of 25 litres each, totalling about 1,000 litres of petrol, were seized at Farasime community, based on intelligence from Tongeji Island,” he said
He noted that the 7,950 litres of petrol seized from two filling stations and Tongeji Island on March 7 and 8, respectively, were handled lawfully.

“This was to prevent the illegal products from re-entering circulation within our operational area,” he said.

Navy Seizes 13,800 Litres Of Petrol

Mr Omotayo stated that the navy was increasing efforts to combat smuggling and criminal activities along the Badagry-Porto Novo creeks.

He noted, “In line with the Federal Government’s directive and Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla’s Strategic Directive 2023-06, FOB Badagry has intensified operations, achieving multiple successes.’’

He warned perpetrators, collaborators, and sponsors of illegal activities to desist or face the full weight of the law.

He assured sister agencies, particularly the Nigeria Customs Service, of the navy’s continued cooperation, as well as support for the host community.