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.
Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy, through FOB BONNY, has dismantled an illegal refining site discovered in Promise Land Community along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, further denying criminal operators the infrastructure required to process stolen crude oil.
Eereporter.com
The site was discovered on 30 September 2026 following credible intelligence and comprised one large cooking pot and 3 large storage tanks intended for illegal refining activities. On 2 October 2026, the Commanding Officer, FOB BONNY, Captain SMC Umeh, led a team to the location, where the illegal refining site and associated equipment were destroyed in accordance with established regulations.
The intervention represents a further disruption of illegal refining capacity within the Bonny area, particularly by removing infrastructure that could be used to process and store stolen crude oil. It also follows recent operations by FOB BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL that uncovered substantial volumes of suspected stolen crude oil and associated illegal refining infrastructure within its Area of Operations
Oil
The Nigerian Navy has continued to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the area to prevent the establishment or reactivation of illegal refining sites and deny criminal operators the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities.
ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO
Navy Captain
Director Naval Information
Nigerian Navy
Eereporter.com
Nigerian Police Foil Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Recover Rocket Launchers
The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled an attempted bandit attack on Tsabre community in Isa Local Government Area, recovering two rocket launchers and other items abandoned by the fleeing attackers.
Eereporter.com
The incident occurred around 1am on Friday when the armed men reportedly invaded the village and opened sporadic gunfire, causing panic among residents.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
He said the Divisional Police Officer in Isa, upon receiving a distress call, immediately mobilised tactical teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Violent Crime Response Unit, to confront the attackers.
According to him, the police engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into a nearby forest.
“The tactical teams engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel that lasted for some time. Due to the superior firepower and tactical positioning of the police operatives, the bandits were overpowered and forced to escape into the nearby forest with their casualties,” Rufa’i said.
He added that the police subsequently combed the surrounding bushes and recovered two rocket launchers and two empty AK-47 magazines.
Other items recovered included a Techno keypad phone without a battery, a touch light, an Army jungle hat, a sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket.
The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shaffa, commended the officers for their swift response and courage during the operation.
Shaffa reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
Police
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the police.
The CP further appealed to residents to report anyone with suspected gunshot wounds seeking medical attention to the nearest police station, as efforts continue to track the fleeing attackers.
Eereporter.com
Navy Rescues 2 Kidnapped Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines in Akwa Ibom
The Nigerian Navy has rescued 2 kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation against sea robbery and kidnapping in the Ibeno general area of Akwa Ibom State on 30 September 2026.
Eereporter.com
The operation followed credible information on the activities of suspected sea robbers and kidnappers targeting fishermen and forcibly taking away fishing boats and outboard engines. In response, the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE Maritime Quick Response Team, Ibeno, swiftly mobilised to the area to counter the threat.
During the operation, the naval team encountered 2 boats suspected to be operated by the criminals, prompting the occupants to flee into adjoining creeks. In the ensuing pursuit, the suspects abandoned one of the boats containing several stolen outboard engines and the 2 kidnapped victims, who were immediately rescued by the naval team and escorted to safety. The recovered outboard engines were secured for verification and further necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The successful operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to Search and Rescue (SAR), the protection of lives and the security of legitimate maritime activities across Nigeria’s waters. Through its network of ships, bases, surveillance systems, maritime quick response teams and other operational elements, the Nigerian Navy continues to maintain a presence across the maritime domain, enabling timely responses to distress situations and emerging security threats.
Navy
The operation also demonstrates the importance of credible intelligence and community support in enhancing maritime security. The Nigerian Navy therefore encourages coastal communities, fishermen and other maritime stakeholders to continue providing timely information that could assist in preventing criminal activities and responding rapidly to persons in distress.
The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and will continue to sustain proactive patrols, Search and Rescue operations, and intelligence-driven interventions aimed at protecting lives and property while denying criminal elements freedom of action in the nation’s waterways.
Eereporter.com
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