EVENTS

Marwa Grants Eight NDLEA Officers Special Promotion for Brave Operation on Waterways

Published

7 months ago

August 31, 2024

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Marwa Grants Eight NDLEA Officers Special Promotion for Brave Operation on Waterways
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has approved special promotion for eight officers of the Marine Command of the Agency for their brave and professional conduct during a recent operation to arrest drug traffickers and interdict canoes and boats moving illicit drugs from Ghana to Nigeria through the Lagos waterways.

Speaking at a brief ceremony to decorate the eight officers with their new ranks and also hand them commendation letters at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday 29th August 2024, Marwa said “every time we have a breakthrough, it tells the world a story about the new NDLEA we are working hard to build.

It also reinforces our conviction as an organisation that we are on the right track. So, an occasion such as this is a source of pride for me.”

Justifying the essence of the special promotion and commendation, the NDLEA boss said “In this case, we have officers who exhibited bravery and an unwavering sense of duty in the face of adversity on the waterways to thwart an attempt by a criminal gang to smuggle 60 jumbo bags of illicit drugs from a neighbouring country.

Despite obvious attempts to thwart our interdiction bid, our officers were resilient and prevailed over the situation. It is in recognition of their gallantry that they are given special promotion and we are holding this ceremony to decorate them.

This is keeping with our culture of rewarding hard work, results and sacrifice.”
He said the reward scheme is also part of the sweeping reforms he instituted in the past three years to motivate officers to raise their performance level. “Under this scheme, we have instituted the bi-annual Command Awards and Commendation as well as special promotion for deserving officers, among other measures. I must say that the eight officers I will be decorating shortly showed bravery and dedication to duty and are deserving of a reward.”

While recapping the details of the particular operation, Marwa said “on the 23rd of August 2024, the Special Marine Squad received actionable intelligence at 3am. They immediately swung into action and intercepted a boat along Alfa beach, in Lekki, Lagos.

Another boat was equally sighted. They however faced some unfavourable encounter in the process of intercepting the second boat, but in the face of violent provocation, our officers did not lose focus, as they went ahead to recover the exhibits.

“They were able to seize 60 bags of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 2, 400 kgs. They successfully arrested a suspect, Hambo Tete, 30, who is Ghanaian and impounded the exhibit boat powered by three outboard engines.

The action of these officers in the night was significant for two reasons. First, it is an affirmation that we have been successful at making the normal trafficking routes through the airport and land borders impenetrable. Hence, traffickers seeking alternative routes are trying to turn to the waterways.

“The second significance is that such traffickers will meet their Waterloo even on the waterways because of the presence of our Marine Command. Those who have been following the development in NDLEA are aware that we now have a full-fledged Marine Command with well trained divers.

In the recent past months, we have been reinforcing the Command with equipment and training for which we are grateful to the UK Home Office International Operations. What this crop of officers did is a loud statement to trafficking organisations that NDLEA will continue to work with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that our waterways are not safe routes for drug traffickers just as the airports, seaports and land borders.”

Addressing the promoted officers and their colleagues across all commands and formations, Marwa charged them on the need “to sustain the momentum of our trajectory and also protect the integrity of our job. That entails that we should be mindful of our actions and activities in the line of duty or off duty.”

“I expect them and every officer not to rest on their oars. There is so much work to do out there, and there are dangers involved. As long as we conduct our operations in line with established SOPs, as these officers did, and as long as we don’t compromise our mandate, we shall always prevail, without casualty and without erring in our action”, he added.

The promoted officers include: Dick Aaron Dick; Alabi Mayowa; Gabriel Ubokikwan; Aso Daniel John; Abdul Emmanuel Sule; Ngabolo Victor Sonpano; Jonah Emmanuel Sule and Membe Timipa Gabriel.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the team leader Aaron Dick expressed gratitude to the NDLEA boss for transforming the Agency to an efficient and result-oriented organisation through purposeful and exemplary leadership.

He said the special promotion and commendation will not only motivate him and his colleagues to do more but will equally inspire other personnel of the Agency to be exceptional in the discharge of their duties.

EVENTS

Rights group condemns killings in Plateau, calls for govt intervention

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8 minutes ago

April 6, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The Movement for the Emancipation of Nigeria, MEN, has issued a powerful statement condemning the relentless violence plaguing Bokkos Local Government Area in Plateau State.

The group’s statement issued by Solomon Dalung, paints a grim picture of mass murder, ethnic cleansing, and what they described as the “targeted annihilation” of innocent citizens, with the latest attacks between April 2 and 3, 2025, claiming over 60 lives.

The statement detailed the horrifying toll of the recent assaults on communities such as Mangor Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, Tadai, and Ruwi, saying that women, children, and the elderly were among the victims and their homes torched and lands desecrated by what MEN alleges are Fulani militias operating with genocidal intent.

The statement explained, “This is not random—it is systematic, coordinated, and genocidal.”

”MEN’s outrage is matched by its frustration with the Nigerian government and security agencies, whose “glaring silence and ineffectiveness” have left the people of Bokkos defenseless. How many more mass graves must be dug before Nigeria acts”?

MEN accused the perpetrators of seeking the slow but deliberate erasure of indigenous Christian communities under the guise of farmer-herder conflicts.

The statement outlines a series of bold demands, including the immediate designation of the Fulani militias as terrorist organizations, the establishment of a special tribunal to investigate the killings, and the deployment of a permanent security task force to Bokkos.

MEN also called for the eviction of foreign mercenaries and land-grabbers and urged civil society, religious leaders, and youth movements to break their silence, lamenting that people abandoned by their government are a people who must rise to protect themselves.

MEN also praised the Butura Development Association for its solidarity with the grieving residents of Ruwi, calling it a beacon of the true Plateau spirit, emphasizing that the crisis transcends regional boundaries.

The statement called on the international community, human rights organizations and global watchdogs to document what MEN labels a genocide, saying, “Let the world know: Bokkos shall not bleed in vain.”

EVENTS

NATIONWIDE PROTEST: NPF CAUTIONS AGAINST ILL-TIMED PROTEST ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Published

1 hour ago

April 6, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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PRESS RELEASE
NATIONWIDE PROTEST: NPF CAUTIONS AGAINST ILL-TIMED PROTEST ACROSS THE COUNTRY

The Nigeria Police Force has read in the news that a group called “Take it Back Movement” is planning a protest across various states of the Federation, most especially the Federal Capital Territory, scheduled to hold on Monday 7th April, 2025, a day earmarked by the Federal Government as the National Police Day, to celebrate the resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.

While not against the exercise of citizens right to peaceful assembly and association in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned about the motive behind such protest scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security is to be celebrated, putting into consideration that such glamorous event would bring together dignitaries from all spheres of life both internationally and within the country, including Foreign Inspectors-General of Police and Diplomats.

In line with best global practices adopted by nations in celebrating the achievements of its Police institution, the Nigerian Government has taken the bull by the horn by declaring every April 7 as National Police Day. The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is however questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act that is capable of rubbishing and maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole.

The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organizers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous.

The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, while reaffirming the commitment of the NPF to adequately carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Law and respect for rights of citizens hereby urges all the organizers of the planned protest as well as individuals who intend to join the protest to pursue dialogue by engaging the proper institution of government to press home their demands.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
6TH APRIL 2025

EVENTS

Abia Police Commissioner Dismisses Three Officers for Abduction and Extortion

Published

6 hours ago

April 6, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Danladi Isa, has dismissed three police officers for their involvement in acts of conspiracy, abduction, and extortion of unsuspecting victims. The officers have also been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for prosecution alongside their civilian accomplices.

The affected officers are:
– **Sergeant Jonas Nnamdi** (Force No. 501356), attached to Area Command, Aba.
– **Corporal James Daniel** (Force No. 511844), attached to the Department of Operations, Umuahia.
– **Corporal Ifeanyi Emeka** (Force No. 511853), attached to Eziama Division.

According to the police statement, the officers were arrested on January 29, 2025, after they conspired with two civilians, hired a minibus, and abducted some individuals along the Port Harcourt Expressway. They were found armed with an electric baton, an assault rifle, and a Beretta pistol, which they used to intimidate and extort money from their victims. The officers also demanded additional ransom from the victims’ families before releasing them.

Following their arrest by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Abayi, an investigation and Orderly Room Trial were conducted, which confirmed their involvement in the crime. Their dismissal follows the administrative disciplinary measures taken by the Abia State Police Command, and their service accoutrements have been retrieved.

CP Danladi Isa reaffirmed the command’s zero tolerance for corruption and unprofessional conduct, emphasizing that discipline and professionalism remain the foundation of the Nigeria Police Force. He assured the public that the command under his leadership would not tolerate any form of misconduct and remains committed to upholding the vision of the Inspector General of Police for a people-friendly and law-abiding force.

The dismissed officers and their civilian accomplices will face prosecution as part of the command’s efforts to maintain law and order in Abia State.