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Stakeholders Hold Town Hall Meeting, Sets For Collaboration To Tackle Drug Abuse, Addiction

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NDLEA

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.

NDLEA

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.

Crime

Police Mull Acquisition Of Modern Forensic Equipment In Anambra

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Ogun

Police Mull Acquisition Of Modern Forensic Equipment In Anambra

Police mull acquisition of modern forensic equipment in Anambra. The Commissioner of Police (CP), Ikioye Orutugu, said the initiative aligns the command’s forensic capabilities with global best practices in criminal investigations.

The Anambra Police Command plans to acquire modern forensic equipment to enhance evidence analysis, improve suspect profiling, and increase efficiency in crime scene investigations.

The state police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Awka, the state capital.

According to Mr Ikenga, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Ikioye Orutugu, said the initiative aligns the command’s forensic capabilities with global best practices in criminal investigations.
He quoted Mr Orutugu as saying the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Awka remained the command’s apex investigative unit, playing a pivotal role in maintaining law and order.

The statement further noted that CP Orutugu recently held a strategic meeting with CID sectional heads to assess emerging crime trends and enhance the investigative capacity of officers.

“As part of efforts to strengthen intelligence gathering and security operations, the commissioner directed an immediate reorganisation of the CID formation.
“He also approved the establishment of a Political Desk Unit within the department.

Police

Police

“The new unit will be responsible for monitoring political developments, conducting threat assessments, implementing risk management strategies, and providing security guidance for political campaigns and other sensitive events,” the CP said.

Mr Orutugu emphasised that ongoing engagement with CID leadership would help identify operational challenges and successes, ultimately improving the command’s effectiveness.

He reaffirmed the Anambra Police Command’s commitment to proactive policing, professional excellence, and ensuring the safety of all residents.

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APGA National Youth Leader Tells Tinubu At 73 To Grant Nigerians Right To Bear Arms

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Universities To Combat Insecurity

APGA National Youth Leader Tells Tinubu At 73 To Grant Nigerians Right To Bear Arms

APGA national youth leader tells Tinubu at 73 to grant Nigerians right to bear arms. The National Youth Leader of National Youth Leader of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA who doubles as the Chairman Forum of National Youth Leaders of all Political Parties in Nigeria, Comr Eze Onyebuchi Chukwu has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his 73rd Birthday.

In a birthday message made available to our correspondent, Comr Chukwu asked President Tinubu to grant Nigerians right to hear arms.

He revealed that it’s important because Nigerians need to defend themselves as much as they can from armed robbers, kidnappers, bandits, killer herdsmen etc.

According to him, “First I want to thank God for the blessing of life and good health. I thank Mr President for all he has put in place for the Continuous progress of Nigeria especially as it affects the well being of the Youths of this country.”

“We have witnessed the surge in kidnapping, armed robbery, and similar criminalities in our country Nigeria today.

It is no longer news that the security personnel alone cannot completely tackle the level of insecurity in all parts of this country and the need for every well meaning Nigerian to bear arms cannot be overemphasized.”

“We have watched in video clips on social media and hear stories from eyewitnesses and victims about how helpless our citizens have become before illegal gun bearers who ordinarily should not have the balls if not for the superiority of gun over their victims.

We have seen how senior citizens, elegant youths and men full of life fall to the command of teenagers who are bearing guns to the extent of obidiently offering their necks for slaughter for fear of the gun without which they would have fought for their lives.”

“Dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, Nigerians need to defend themselves as much as they can from armed robbers, kidnappers, bandits, killer herdsmen etc.

Tinubu

Tinubu

I am therefore seizing this occasion of your 73rd birthday to ask your good office to forward to the National Assembly, a bill for enactment of law that will give Nigerians the right to the ownership of certain firearms.

The law can regulate the sale and it’s use to avoid misuse. Let the awardees be licensed and the law prohibits certain individuals after background checks of other matters including Mental health and crime records.”

“Your Excellency Sir, if this suggestion is implemented, insecurity will reduce drastically to the barest minimum too small for the security personnel to handle. This is the best way to go.

Counter suggestions of abuse will arise including the dangers but the fact remains that it’s gains will outweigh it’s losses.”

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Bauchi NSCDC Arrests 2 For Human Trafficking

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Bauchi NSCDC Arrests 2 For Human Trafficking

Bauchi NSCDC arrests 2 for human trafficking. Mr Oyerinde pointed out that the suspects confessed to transporting the victims to the location where they managed to escape.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bauchi State command, has intercepted a stolen Toyota Hilux and apprehended two individuals for human trafficking in separate operations.

Oloyede Oyerinde, the state commandant, disclosed this at a news conference on Saturday in Bauchi and said the operations aimed to ensure security and law enforcement.

He said personnel of the command, on March 25, intercepted a stolen black Toyota Hilux (TRD V6 Off-Road) 2020 model with chassis number MROFA3CDOL3850349.

“The vehicle was stolen from the Rantiya area near High School in Jos, Plateau and belonged to Mr Emmanuel Agbola, a resident of Rantiya.
“Upon receiving the report at the State Command Headquarters, the personnel swiftly activated a stop-and-search operation and intensified patrols along the Bauchi-Jos Expressway,” Mr Oyerinde said.

He said the criminals, sensing danger, abandoned the vehicle and escaped. He added that the recovered vehicle had since been handed over to the rightful owner.

The commandant said in a separate development, on March 21, at approximately 10:00 a.m., one Faith Gabriel, 19, a resident of Yalwan Kagadama/Unguwan Kusu, reported a case of human trafficking to the NSCDC Bauchi State Command Headquarters.

“She accused a 33-year-old woman of Yalwan Kagadama of luring victims to one Mary Simon, 35, under the pretence of securing jobs for four girls between the ages of 19 to 20.

NSCDC

Bauchi NSCDC

“The girls were taken to Ibadan on March 10, allegedly for restaurant jobs.
“However, upon arrival, they were lodged in an undisclosed hotel; the next morning, the hotel’s security guard informed them that they were actually being trafficked for commercial s3x work en route to Côte d’Ivoire. Fearing for their lives, they fled the hotel and returned to Bauchi,” he said.

Mr Oyerinde pointed out that the suspects confessed to transporting the victims to the location where they managed to escape.

He condemned human trafficking and other criminal activities, warning perpetrators of dire legal consequences.

Mr Oyerinde reassured the public that investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be prosecuted according to the law.

He reiterated that the command remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and would continue its relentless fight against crime in the state.

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