Marwa Arrests Drug Traffickers In Adamawa, Lagos, Plateau States
Three trans-border drug traffickers have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, while trying to smuggle 48,000 tablets of 225mg Tramadol through Mubi, Adamawa state to Cameroon Republic, just as over 1,500 kilograms of imported Loud and other illicit substances have been intercepted in raids across Lagos and Edo states.
A statement signed by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director, Media & Advocacy and made available to NAOSRE, the agency stated that the suspects: Mohammed Hussaini, 32; Adamu Bella, 18, and Mohammed Umar, 18, were arrested at Tsamiya Junction, Madanya Road, Mubi, Mubi North LGA, Adamawa State on Friday 28th January, with the exhibits concealed in the packets of another drug. When interviewed, they claimed the drugs were being taken to Bagira town along Nigeria-Cameroon border to be delivered to some Cameroonians for onward delivery to Maroa in Cameroon.
This comes on the heels of a similar operation at Alaba Rago area of Lagos where operatives of the state command of the Agency intercepted 1,200 parcels of imported Loud, a strong variant of cannabis suspected to have been smuggled into the state from a neighbouring country with a total weight of 1,229 kilograms.
In another raid on Wednesday 26th Jan, at Suru Alaba, Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA, Lagos, operatives arrested one Ibrahim Musa, 25, with 18,530 tablets of Tramadol, Rohynol, Diazepam, Exol-5, and 138 bottles of Codeine.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos, operatives at the SAHCO export shed of the airport during their routine cargo search intercepted a consignment of 22 international passports of six different countries concealed in a bag of Gari among other food items.
Nine of the passports were three each of UK, France and Portugal, while the rest were: Nigeria -8; Ghana -4 and Cameroon -1. Also at the airport, operatives equally recovered 12 parcels of cannabis weighing 4.95kg concealed in a carton of Golden Morn packaged for export through the SAHCO export shed.
In Plateau state, a team of Marwa led NDLEA officers on Friday 28th Jan. arrested two suspects; Emeka Ezenwa, 37, and Julius Akingbe, 45, for being in possession of 126.5grams of methamphetamine concealed inside a DVD player coming from Lagos, while a raid in Kampani Zera- Wase LGA of the state on Friday led to the arrest of Fatima Sadiq, 20, who was caught with 21.3kg cannabis.
A similar raid on Friday of a notorious drug joint, Bakin Kogi Ringim, Jigawa state led to the recovery of different quantities of Cannabis, Diazepam, Exol-5 and some new psychoactive substances with a total weight of 8.680kg as well as weapons such as knives, cutlasses, Gora sticks, catapults and charms.
In Edo state, operatives recovered 19 bags of cannabis weighing 144.10kg stored in the bush along Uromi Road, Esan North East LGA ready to be transported to other parts of the country, while eight bags of the same substance weighing 111kg were recovered from a bush at Iruekpen, Esan West LGA.
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended officers and men of Lagos, MMIA, Adamawa, Plateau and Edo commands of the Agency for their tenacity and vigilance. He charged them along with their colleagues across the country not to relent until the last gram of illicit drug is recovered from every part of Nigeria.
We Are Committed To Safety And Security In Maritime Operations – NIMASA Boss
The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has reassured stakeholders and players in the maritime corridor of his commitment to concrete safety and security in the nation’s maritime industry.
Speaking to a group of journalists in Lagos on Friday, including representatives of the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, Dr. Jamoh disclosed that the apex maritime regulatory agency’s commitment to safety and security were the reasons inspection of ships, which is in accordance with the safety requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, increased in 2021 by 43.6 percent.
“We have an administrative routine of surveying ships every month. It is all part of our commitment to safety and security. In year 2020, we surveyed 276 ships. But in 2021, the figures doubled. We surveyed 489 ships,” the agency boss stated.
According to the DG, the routine survey is an indication of management’s seriousness to ensure that each vessel maintains safety, pollution standards while in the ports and waters.
Dr. Jamoh added that plans are in place for the privatisation of the modular floating dockyard which has not been put into use saying that the agency would execute the privatization using the instrumentality of Public-Private Partnership, PPP. He however assured that the floating dock will be operational before the end of first quarter of 2022. He emphasized that the Nigerian Ports Authority is a co-partner in the process, with the provision of its Continental Shipyard.
“We have been undergoing this process, and the DG ICRC was here for the first certificate, telling us that privatisation of the floating dock is profitable, doable and they gave us the go-ahead to do that.
“We have also gone ahead with the Managing Partner and co partner, which is the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, with the provision of Continental Shipyard,” the maritime regulatory body said.
Ekiti 2022: Coalition Warns APC, PDP Against Unethical Standards
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations based in Ekiti State, Ekiti Democratic Movement (EDM), has warned political gladiators in the State not to be reckless as they jostle for the governorship of the State owing to the violence that erupted before and during the conduct of the primary elections of the two dominant parties in the State, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a press release issued on Thursday and signed by the Convener of the coalition, Comrade Akinola Busuyi, it stated that apart from the violence that characterized the gubernatorial primaries of the PDP on Wednesday, 26th January, 2022, the planned APC governorship primaries of Thursday, 27th January, 2022 also failed woefully in complying with democratic norms.
According to the group, “It has been reported that Governor Kayode Fayemi in his desperate bid to impose an unpopular candidate on APC members, bought over the Governorship Primary Electoral Committee led by Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State and has also used top Government functionaries to hijack the exercise”.
It was made known that contrary to democratic standards, Governor Fayemi insisted on using Government functionaries and appointees as returning officers for the election in the 16 Local Government Areas and 177 Wards across the State.
While the coalition rightly commends the APC National leadership for the adoption of direct mode of primary for governorship aspirants in Ekiti State, “we seriously take exception to the ways and manners that the process is being characterized with politics of bitterness and acrimony, violence brigandage, arson, unlawful abduction of perceived opponents, killings, maiming and undue harassment of innocent party members as well as the heating up of the polity in the desperation to get the guber ticket of the party by the gladiators.
“In his words “we make bold to say that these dastardly activities are critically threatening the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria, to the extent that the gains of the nation’s democracy may be eroded if proper care is not taken. Moreso, it is quite worrisome that Governor Kayode Fayemi who had a robust background in human rights and pro-democracy activism could perpetrate the brazen contravention of democratic principles and the ideals of fairplay and social justice despite his promises to provide a level playing field for all the contestants.
“Finally,the coalition therefore calls on the leadership of both APC and PDP, and especially the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State to ensure that the electoral process is peaceful, transparent, fair and devoid of manipulation and violence so that the popular decision of the parties are upheld.
Lagos New CP Tasks Senior Officers On Success Story
The new Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Abiodun Alabi, has charged Area Commanders, DPOs/HODs and tactical commanders to translate their long-time relationship with him to success in the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Command’s spokesman, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu and made available to NAOSRE on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the new CP, Alabi charged the officers during his maiden meeting with them shortly after taking over the mantle of leadership as Commissioner of Police in the state at a brief ceremony held on 24th January, 2022 at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja.
The warning was informed by the believe that some officers he has known for some time now may take an undue advantage of their familiarity with him, take things for granted and abdicate their statutory duties.
The new CP said that although he cherished friendship but such friendship must not be at the detriment of diligence, result-oriented policing and quality service delivery to the people.
The CP also directed the Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to constantly engage and partner with critical stakeholders in their areas of responsibilities for effective policing.
Speaking further, the Commissioner of Police warned officers against corruption and infringement on fundamental human rights of Nigerians.
He, however, assured that he would always provide good leadership that would help them succeed in the discharge of their duties.
Helen Paul Inducted As Public Administration Fellow, Ambassador
One of Nigeria’s most resourceful entertainers, Dr Helen Paul has been inducted as a Fellow of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria.
The special investiture of Dr Helen Paul took place on Wednesday, 26 January, 2022 at the the serene Banquet Hall of Mayors and Diplomats Hotel and Suites, Oduduwa Way, G.R.A Ikeja, Lagos.
The induction ceremony was conducted by Dr Uche Okereke, Registrar of the institute on the mandate of the body’s head honcho, Professor A.M Awotoku.
Other representatives of the institute included Alhaja Yeye Mosunmola Johnson, Madam Kemi, Mrs Tinuola Mabuso —Secretary General, and Professor Segun Olabintan who read Dr Helen Paul’s citation.
It was an epoch-making event attended by captains of industry and eminent personalities from all walks of life. There were representatives from the Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Customs Service and other government parastatals.
Celebrities like Binta Ayo Mogaji, Ngozi Nwosu, Uti Nwachukwu, Yomi Fabiyi, Bunmi Davies, Rose Odika, Dupe Jaiyesimi, Ada Ameh, Comedian Ashiri and a host of other entertainers were not left out.
According to Dr Okereke, Dr Helen Paul, FCPA, will also double as an ambassador of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria, a body founded in 1996 and chartered by Act of Parliament No. 1 of 2017.
“This institute passed through the National Assembly, both the Senate and House of Representatives, and the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Today, it is the only recognized professional body that practice Local Government and Public Administration in Nigeria,” Dr Okereke said.
He added that the induction of Dr Helen Paul as a Fellow and Ambassador of the institute was decided by the Council of the institute after a meticulous monitoring of her academic strides and service to humanity.
Dr Okereke explained that “the choice of Helen Paul was made by our Council after due consideration of her academic excellence. She has a Masters Degree in Public Administration, not only in Theatre Arts, which is her primary constituency. She sneaked in to Public Administration, and this is the first time we are combining Public Administration with Theatre Arts. We really want to experiment how Public Administration and Theatre Arts can work together… that is why we are also making her our Ambassador.”
With her induction, Dr Helen Paul has joined other eminent Nigerians as Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria.
The institute has about four serving governors, two Justices of Supreme Court, former governor of Lagos State and NDLEA Chairman among others as Fellows.
NIGERIAN NAVY RELEASES POSTINGS OF SENIOR OFFICERS
The Nigerian Navy has released the posting of 54 rear admirals following the recent promotion of senior officers in the Service. In the postings, Rear Admiral Saidu Garba, formerly the Navy Secretary, has been appointed Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Barabutemegha Gbassa, formerly Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command is now the Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters. Rear Admiral Sanusi Ibrahim, formerly Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, moves to Naval Headquarters as Navy Secretary, while Rear Admiral Sileranda Lassa, formerly Flag Officer Commanding Logistics Command, has been appointed Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited. Rear Admiral Muhammed Nagenu, erstwhile Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters has been appointed Chief of Defence Administration at the Defence Headquarters and Rear Admiral Solomon Agada, formerly Director Peacekeeping Operations, Naval Headquarters is now appointed Chief of Training and Operations.
The postings also affected Rear Admiral Murtala Bashir who moves from Naval War College as Commandant to National Defence College also as Commandant, while Rear Admiral Adeseye Ayobanjo, formerly Director Maritime Domain Awareness at the Naval Headquarters will resume as Chief of Defence Civil Military Cooperation, Defence Headquarters. Similarly, Rear Admiral Okon Eyo, former Director of Training, Defence Headquarters has been appointed Chief of Naval Transformation, Naval Headquarters while Rear Admiral Perry Onwuzulike, formerly Director Lessons Learnt, Naval Headquarters is now the Chief of Naval Safety and Standards, Naval Headquarters.
Rear Admiral Monday Unurhiere, formerly Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command has been reappointed to Naval Training Command as Flag Officer Commanding. Additionally, Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan, formerly Director Personnel Release is reappointed at the Naval Headquarters as Director of Policy, while Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, erstwhile Director of Manning, Naval Headquaters has been appointed Flag Officer Commanding, Logistics Command. Rear Admiral Tanko Pani, former Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordnance Depot has also been appointed Director of Plans, Defence Headquarters. Rear Admiral Akinga Ayafa, formerly Chief of Naval Safety and Standards resumes as Flag Officer Commanding Naval Doctrine Command, while Rear Admiral Nuhu Bala is reappointed at the Defence Headquarters as Director of Transformation. Rear Admiral Vincent Okeke, former Director Transformation, Naval Headquarters moves to the Defence Headquarters as Director of Logistics, while Rear Admiral Danjuma Moses also resumes at the Defence Headquarters as Director of Training.
The reorganisation also affected Rear Admiral Yakubu Wambai, formerly the Director of Operations Naval Headquarters who is now appointed Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Rear Admiral Emmanuel Beckley resumes as Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordnance Depot. Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu has been moved from Navy Hotels and Suites Limited where he was Managing Director to Eastern Naval Command as Flag Officer Commanding, while Rear Admiral Nnamdi Muogilim has been reappointed to the Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Space Administration. Rear Admiral Idi Abbas who was Chief Staff Officer, Central Naval Command is now reappointed as the Flag Officer Commanding, while Rear Admiral Mohammed Abdullahi former Commander Naval Drafting has been appointed to Navy Hotels and Suites Limited as Managing Director. Rear Admiral Samson Bura, formerly Director of Air Operations, Naval Headquarters resumes at the Western Fleet as Fleet Commander. Rear Admiral Olusola Oluwagbire moves from Eastern Naval Command to Naval Headquarters as Director of Operations, while Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, formerly Chief Staff Officer, Logistics Command takes over as Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.
Similarly, Rear Admiral Baratuaipri Iyalla, formerly Managing Director, Naval Engineering Services Limited is now Chief Staff Officer Logistics Command, while Rear Admiral Kohath Levi who was Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard Limited has been appointed as Chief Staff Officer, Naval Doctrine Command. Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu, erstwhile Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College resumes at Naval Headquarters as Director of Plans, while Rear Admiral Habila Zakaria, formerly Chief Staff Officer, Western Naval Command takes over as Commander Command Naval Drafting. Rear Admiral Zakariyya Muhammed has been reappointed as Director of Training, Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shettima moves to Naval Headquarters as Chief of Logistics. Rear Admiral Abdulmajid Ibrahim, formerly a Director at Defence Headquarters has been appointed Director Peacekeeping Operations, Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Uduak Ibanga, formerly Director Project Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation, Naval Headquarters resumes at Naval Building and Construction Company Limited as Managing Director. Rear Admiral Kennedy Egbuchulam who was the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command has been appointed as Director of Administration, Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, the former Principal Staff Officer to Chief of the Naval Staff is the new Commandant, Naval War College, Nigeria.
Furthermore, Rear Admiral Umar Chugali who was the Commandant, Nigerian Navy Provost and Regulating School, Makurdi has been redeployed to Defence Headquarters as Director Cyber Security, while Rear Admiral Eugenio Ferreira, formerly Deputy Director Career Planning, Naval Headquarters is reappointed as the Director Manning. Rear Admiral Bashir Mohammed, former Commander Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT has been appointed to Naval Headquarters as Director Project Implementation and Monitoring Evaluation, while Rear Admiral Mike Oamen, the immediate past Commandant, Defence Intelligence College is the new Chief Staff Officer, Eastern Naval Command. Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu, formerly a Director at the National Defence College moves to Naval Headquarters as Director of Ships Design and Acquisition, while Rear Admiral Livingstone Izu, erstwhile Fleet Commander, Eastern Fleet has been appointed as Director of Procurement, Naval Headquarters. Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, formerly Director Audit, Naval Headquarters has been reappointed as Director Lessons Learnt, while Rear Admiral Alexander Bingel, formerly Commander Naval Base Lake Chad takes over as Director of Combat Policy and Tactics and Coordinator NIMASA deep Blue, Naval Headquarters. Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed former Commander Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER is the new Chief Staff Officer Naval training Command, while Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim, the immediate past Commodore Superintendent, Naval Shipyard Limited resumes as Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard Limited. Rear Admiral Sunday Oyegade, erstwhile Director Marine Engineering, Naval Headquarters has also been appointed as Admiral Superintendent Naval Shipyard Limited.
The new postings also redeployed Rear Admiral John Mamman, formerly Maritime Component Commander, Operation DELTA SAFE moves to Naval Headquarters as Director of Recruitment, Reserve and Resettlement, while Rear Admiral Peter Zakaria has been appointed to the Naval Headquarters as Director of Armament. Rear Admiral Chubuike Azike is reappointed at the Defence Headquarters as Director of Education, while Rear Admiral Ismaila Zelani, formerly Director of Sports, Naval Headquarters is reappointed as Director of Veterans Affairs. Rear Admiral Kennedy Ezete, erstwhile Naval Provost Marshal is now the Director of Transformation, Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Hamza Kaoje formally the Director Marine services, Lagos takes over as Chief Staff Officer, Western Naval Command.
In view of the importance of this information, you are please requested to disseminate for general public awareness.
SULEMAN DAHUN
Commodore
for Chief of the Naval Staff
ARMY RECRUITMENT: Nigerian Army Will Recruit Only the Best – COAS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, has said only the best candidates who are medically and physically fit will be recruited into the Nigerian Army (NA).
The COAS gave the assurance today Tuesday 25 January 2022, when he visited the Nigerian Army Battle Fitness Centre (NABFC) in Falgore, Kano State, where the ongoing screening exercise for 82 Regular Recruit Intake is being conducted.
Lt Gen Yahaya charged the recruitment officers to leverage on the experience garnered from the previous recruitment exercises to improve upon the conduct of the ongoing recruitment and ensure that the goals of the exercise are not compromised.
Gen Yahaya also assured them of equipping the centre with more training aids and facilities to further enhance training at the centre.
The Director Manpower Planning, Maj Gen Umar Musa, while briefing the COAS, pointed out, that over 3,800 candidates are currently undergoing screening at the centre, adding that the main goal of the exercise is to recruit young and physically fit Nigerians to fill the manpower needs of the NA.
The COAS also took a tour of the centre during which he inspected completed as well as ongoing projects at the centre. Gen Yahaya also interacted with the candidates and left them with some words of encouragement.
Accompanying the COAS during the visit ate the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Maj Gen Kabiru Muhktar, Chief of Administration (Army) Maj Gen Usman Mohammed, Chief of Operations Maj Gen Olumide Akinjobi, Provost Marshal (Army) Maj Gen Robert Aiyenigba and the Chief of Military Intelligence (Army) Maj Gen Ibrahim Salihu
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
COAS COMMISSIONS OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF 1 DIVISION RSM
The Chief of Army Staff(COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has commissioned newly completed official residence of the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of 1 Division, Nigerian Army and several other quarters for Senior Non -commissioned Officers in Dalet Cantonment, Kawo, Kaduna. The COAS commissioned the new residential quarters, today Tuesday 25 Jan 2022 during an operational visit to Headquarters 1 Division, Nigerian Army.
Speaking during the commissioning, General Yahaya averred that RSMs are very vital in the management of soldiers and play the crucial role of inculcating discipline, as well as promoting ethos, traditions and doctrinal values of the Nigerian Army, amongst personnel in formations and units. He acknowledged that service discipline and experiential knowledge imbibed from RSMs by soldiers, build the foundation of trust and confidence, which enhance stability of formations and units across the Nigerian Army.
The COAS maintained, that commissioning of the buildings is part of his welfare agenda for the RSMs, aimed at restoring the prestige of the office. He later handed over keys of the building to Army Warrant Officer(AWO) Adams Bamidele, the RSM of 1 Division, Nigerian Army.
It will be recalled, that since assumption of office, the COAS has through his Command policies and administration, been boosting troops’ morale and reinvigorating their fighting will, with the prompt implementation of welfare policies and dispensation of welfare packages, such as the introduction of welfare flights for troops and their families, in and out of Operational theatres, construction of new accommodation quarters and renovation of dilapidated ones, to solve personnel’s accommodation challenges and sponsoring of Wounded in Action officers and soldiers for treatment overseas. He has also presented Hilux vehicles to serving and retired RSMs to restore the dignity associated with the office and empower them to effectively carry out their duties.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
25 January 2022
Adeniran-Ogunsanya, who served the State during the first term of former Governor Babatunde Fashola between 2007 and 2011, died at 74 after a brief illness.
Dr. Obasa, in a statement by his media office, commiserated with the family and friends of the deceased saying her contributions as SSG to the progress of Lagos would remain indelible in the hearts of the residents of the State.
“She was always calm, filled with brilliant ideas and contributed immensely to the development of Lagos while she served as Secretary to the Lagos State Government,” Obasa said.
The Speaker added that the late Adeniran-Ogunsanya also played important roles in the politics of the State earning herself respect as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“On behalf of my colleagues at the Lagos State House of Assembly, I commiserate with the family, friends, leaders of our party and everyone affected by the demise of Princess Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya.
I pray that God would grant her peace and give those she left behind the fortitude to bear this loss.
Idumota Bloodbath: We have no Hand in the Mayhem – King Kosoko Royal Family
Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko
Though calm and what seems like normalcy has returned to Lagos Island after bloody fight erupted between miscreants of Idumota and Kosoko over what cannot be ascertain at the moment, and this has been capitalised on to spread false stories about different people mostly for political gains, one of the names being peddle are the distinguished King Kosoko Royal Family.
In a statement made available to the press, the family has come out to disassociate itself from the mayhem that has seen many dead and many more seriously wounded. In the statement jointly signed by Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko Oloja of Lagos (Elect) and the Head of Family of King Kosoko Royal Family: Alh Mutiat Ashabi Alli-Balogun, it reads “It is with great dismay that the King Kosoko Royal family and the Oloja of Lagos Chieftaincy Family wishes to be detached from the 19th of January 2022 Lagos Island unrest titled Idumota Vs Kosoko.
” It is of importance to state here that the King Kosoko Royal Family is not an organisation but a reputable Royal / Chieftaincy family in Lagos State and three other West African countries. And as such does not have anything to do with the 19th of January 2022 Lagos Island unrest orchestrated by some street gangs for selfish reasons,which we believe the Nigerian Police force are still investigating.
“We hereby wish to disassociate ourselves from the unrest and we shall appreciate that the general public desist from the claim that Kosoko is in anyway part of the unrest, ” the statement reads.
It is important to note that so many names has been flying as having something or the other to do about the bloody civil unrest that is now under police control since it started on Thursday and their findings will be made known to the public.
