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 Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
EFCC releases ex-AGF Malami after hours of interrogation. He said he would return for further questioning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, after hours of interrogation by the anti-graft team.
Mr Malami confirmed his release in his X account on Saturday. The former minister said that he had been released and scheduled for another meeting with investigators.
He said that the reality behind the “fabricated allegations” levelled against him would become clearer with time.
“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention. “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continues to unfold.”
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
The EFCC had summoned Mr Malami through a letter dated November 24, and signed by Sunday Ofen-Imu on behalf of its chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC did not disclose the specific allegations for which Mr Malami was invited.
Kano NSCDC Nabs 11 Suspected Hoodlums With Dangerous Weapons
Kano NSCDC nabs 11 suspected hoodlums with dangerous weapons. According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, the suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State command, says it has arrested a gang of 11 suspected hoodlums found in possession of dangerous weapons in Mariri, Kumbotso Local Government Area.
This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Kano by the command’s public relations officer, SC Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi.
He listed the suspects as Idris Muhammad,20, Abubakar Shuaibu,24, Sagiru Hassan Yusuf, 25, Idris Muhammad Morata, 25, and Anas Rabiu, 23.
Others were Yahaya Muhammad, 29, Khalid Idris, 28, Muhammad Adamu, 19, Muktar Auwal Muktar ,22, Salim Muktar, 18, and Saifullahi Nuhu,18.
According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, operatives of the command apprehended the suspects on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m, armed with dangerous local weapons.
NSCDC
“The gang was on a rampage after attending a local traditional festival in Mariri area and were attacking residents and dispossessing them of their belongings.
“The gang also stormed a nearby NSCDC outpost in Mariri, attacked and left a staff fractured in the office” he said
Idris-Abdullahi listed the items recovered to include six cutlasses, swords and a pair of scissors.
He added that the command’s intelligence and investigation department had concluded investigations and the suspects would be charged to court.
Idris-Abdullahi quoted the state commandant, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama, as reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities, protecting critical national assets and safeguarding public peace in Kano State.
Lagos Police Nab 26 Over Counterfeit Currency, Adulterated Diesel
Lagos Police nab 26 over counterfeit currency, adulterated diesel. The police said N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The police command in Lagos has apprehended 26 suspects over counterfeit currency and adulterated diesel in the Eti-Osa and Lekki areas. The command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.
She said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday afternoon during a joint operation conducted by police officers and officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline.
According to her, a total of N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The spokesperson said investigations revealed that four of the suspects were directly involved in the production and distribution of adulterated diesel and engine oil, locally known as ‘rice and beans’.
“The illicit product was sold to unsuspecting motorists across the area. Two other suspects were identified as suppliers of the adulterated petroleum products,” she said.
Police Arrests
Ms Adebisi said that police commissioner Olohundare Jimoh warned all criminally minded individuals to desist from their nefarious activities.
“CP Jimoh cautioned that anyone involved in acts that threaten public peace or economic stability will face the full weight of the law,” she said.
She assured residents that Lagos remains safe, reiterating that the command is in control of the security situation and has prioritised the safety and well-being of all residents.
She urged the public to provide credible and timely information that could assist the police in apprehending criminals and preventing crime.
“Public cooperation remains essential to sustaining the peace and security for which Lagos state is known,” she said.
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