Crime
NYCN, Stakeholders Seeks Collective Action To Curb Drug Abuse
NYCN, Stakeholders Seeks Collective Action To Curb Drug Abuse
NYCN, stakeholders seeks collective action to curb drug abuse. The aide urged youths to heed parental guidance, maintain social balance and avoid harmful habits.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and other stakeholders have urged collective efforts to curb drug abuse among youths across the country.
The call was made on Saturday during the International Youth Day celebration themed ‘Youth as Catalyst for Public Health Policy: Pathway to Address Drug Abuse Locally’ organised by NYCN, Lagos mainland chapter.
Speaking at the event, Olalekan Oba, senior special assistant to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on social development, stressed the importance of early intervention.
Mr Oba said: “Young people not yet exposed to drugs need engagement. Catching them young and educating them can safeguard their dreams and future.”
Mr Oba, a former NYCN Lagos chairman, identified drug abuse as a leading cause of mental health challenges among young people.
He explained that drug abuse might not hinder financial success immediately but eventually damages mental health, relationships, and future aspirations.
The aide urged youths to heed parental guidance, maintain social balance, avoid harmful habits, and prioritise health over temporary pleasures.
He added that while rehabilitation continues under Lagos State’s Kick Against Drug Abuse (LASKADA) initiative, greater focus is now placed on prevention.
According to him, the state recently introduced the Drug Abuse Preventive Advocacy (DAPA) project to sensitise primary and secondary school pupils before exposure to drugs.
Earlier, NYCN mainland coordinator, Dare Kuti, stressed the need for collaborative action against drug abuse.
He said International Youth Day was not just symbolic, but a moment to celebrate youth strength, creativity, and responsibility in building a stronger society.
Mr Kuti underscored the urgency of addressing drug abuse as one of the most pressing social issues confronting communities today.
“Youths are not only vulnerable; we are change agents. Through effective policies and collective action, we can reverse drug abuse in society,” Mr Kuti declared.
He expressed appreciation to government bodies, health institutions, youth organisations, community leaders, and the media for their continued support of youth development.
According to him, such partnerships will strengthen the campaign against drug abuse while fostering sustainable development.
Media professional Rukayah Giwa also urged youths to unite against drug abuse and take responsibility for awareness creation.
She said young people hold the power to drive change, stressing awareness, creativity, policy representation, and responsibility as crucial steps to eradicating drug abuse.
Ms Giwa, a youth advocate, noted peer pressure and environment as major triggers but urged youths to use their voices and platforms to counter drug culture.
NYCN, Stakeholders Seeks Collective Action To Curb Drug Abuse
She said: “Little conversations matter. You don’t need big gatherings to create impact. Start with your neighbour, your friend, in the language you both understand.”
She encouraged youths to harness technology and social media for anti-drug advocacy, stressing their impact is stronger than traditional flyers.
Ms Giwa also challenged youths to engage in policy-making instead of leaving decisions to older generations disconnected from youth realities.
“The moment we view this fight as our collective responsibility, change will follow,” she said.
Also speaking, Bashiru Bakare of the National Orientation Agency, Lagos Mainland, urged youths to obey laws and live responsibly.
“Obey the rules of the land and government in return owes you security, education, and a better life,” he stated.
Mr Bakare urged youths to speak out when witnessing wrongdoing, to avoid becoming victims themselves.
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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