National
France assures NDLEA of more support, collaboration in fight against drug trafficking
The French government on Saturday assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of more collaboration and support in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
The assurance was given by the French Police Attaché in Nigeria, Mr Phillipe Crespo, when he led the trio of Messrs. Phillipe Barrau, Tony Albaladejo and Cedric Hocquette on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit followed the conclusion of a series of special operations training for officers of Strike Force Unit in NDLEA Academy in Jos, and the third of such training in the last two years.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Crespo commended Marwa for the warm reception always accorded the French team.
Crepso also lauded Marwa’s willingness to collaborate with local and international partners in his determined effort to curb the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
He said that the success of NDLEA’s operations was not only helping to protect Nigerians and Nigerian cities but equally communities in foreign lands.
This, he said, was through the agency’s interdiction efforts that had led to huge seizures of assorted illicit drug consignments heading to Europe and other parts of the world.
“As a result, the French government through the French National Police will continue its support and collaboration with NDLEA,” he maintained.
He, however, proposed that the growing partnership should be documented in a memorandum of understanding in the new year.
In his remark, French technical expert, Phillipe Barrau praised the diligence, expertise and professionalism of NDLEA officers involved in the three weeks training exercise.
Barrau added that both sides had a lot to learn from each other while commending the support and capacity of the agency’s Academy, which made the programme seamless and successful.
In his response, Marwa expressed appreciation to the French government for the support and partnership.
“I remember in 2022 when I visited the headquarters of RAID in France on invitation and I made a request for this type of training, I never knew it’s something that will come so fast and this consistent.
“Soon after that visit, a team of experts were sent to train our personnel and I am glad this is the third of such exercises.
“The drug problem is huge worldwide, and as such, we require global partnership, collaboration and every bit of expertise we can acquire to confront the drug cartels.
“This will also help us put an end to their activities which pose a direct threat to public health and the security of countries across the globe.
“It is therefore a thing of joy that our collaboration is not just growing at the level of drug law enforcement, but we can see the growing partnership between our two leaders.
Marwa welcomed the proposed MoU and expressed his preparedness to see that the relationship between the two organisations continues to grow. (NAN
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has called on the national assembly to fast-track the passage of the bill for the creation of state police.
Muhammadu Yahaya, governor of Gombe and chairman of the forum, spoke in Kaduna on Saturday at the end of a joint meeting with members of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council.
Yahaya said the forum also called for a review of the country’s security strategy to address the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and violent killings in the north-central zone.
He said a mutually beneficial resolution was reached on the tax reform bills following the position of the forum on the matter.
Yahaya said the forum commended President Bola Tinubu for listening to stakeholders on the matter and his “commitment to inclusive governance”.
“I am pleased to report that through the platform of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the national economic council, and in consultation with the leadership of the national assembly, we found a way forward that will lead to a mutually beneficial resolution of the matter,” he said.
“We recommend that going forward, such a collaborative approach should guide all matters of intergovernmental relations in the interest of the people.”
The Gombe governor said the state of infrastructure in the northern region is worrisome, adding that some projects awarded in the past have been neglected.
“The state of infrastructure in Northern Nigeria remains a cause for major concern,” he said.
“While we acknowledge President Tinubu’s commitment to completing the ongoing Kaduna-Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway, and the AKK gas pipeline among many others, other projects like the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line, Kano-Maiduguri expressway, and Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu expressway which were awarded in the past, remain in a serious state of neglect.
“In the same vein, no state of the north-east was captured in the federal government’s superhighway project.
“We must therefore explore innovative financing options, including public-private partnerships and infrastructure bonds, in order to bridge this gap and lay a solid foundation for agricultural production, industrialization and growth.”
In a communique released at the end of the meeting, the forum said it resolved to immediately “set up inter-state platforms to coordinate surveillance on our joint borders”.
“The forum resolved to liaise with the Nigerian Governors Forum to work out modalities of how to increase support to the federal security forces,” the communique reads.
“The forum reiterated its support for the creation of the State Police and called on the national assembly to expedite action on the enactment of the legal framework for its take-off.”
The bill for the creation of state police is currently at the national assembly.
The legislation proposes to transfer the term “police” in the 1999 constitution (as amended) from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list.
However, critics have argued that state governors could abuse such a policing system, using it as a tool to intimidate dissenting voices.
Proponents of the state police believe that the system will allow states to tackle their insecurity challenges at the local level without relying on the federal government.
The Northern Youth Congress of Nigeria (NYC) has honoured Dr. Ibrahim Aminu Trader, Executive Director of the Regional Sustainable Energy Centre of Excellence for Sub-Saharan Africa (RSECE), with its coveted Northern Elders Award of Excellence, “Garkuwan Marayun Arewa,” in recognition of his outstanding service to youth empowerment, national unity and social development.
The prestigious award, which translates to “Shield of Northern Orphans,” was conferred during a colourful ceremony at the RSECE headquarters in Abuja.
The event drew a cross-section of youth leaders, civil society groups, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
National President of the NYC, Ambassador Auwalu Mohammed Majiri, commended Dr. Trader’s enduring commitment to nation-building.
“This recognition is rooted in Dr. Trader’s consistent efforts to empower young people and his unwavering role as a bridge-builder in Nigeria’s journey toward unity and peace,” he said.
Dr. Trader, who has a storied career in public service and finance, expressed deep gratitude to the NYC.
He described the recognition as “humbling,” adding that his passion for uplifting the next generation remains central to his work.
“As someone who became the first Northerner to graduate at the age of 19, and having held top roles in the civil service and banking sector, I understand the power of opportunity,” he stated.
“Through RSECE, I continue to support youth initiatives and encourage entrepreneurship as a tool for nation-building.”
The award serves as a powerful endorsement of Dr. Trader’s leadership, humanitarian values and grassroots impact, particularly among marginalised communities.
His honour, according to observers, stands as a beacon of hope and a call to action for others committed to Nigeria’s collective progress.
National
Talata Mafara Resident Praises Tinubu, Matawalle For Eliminating Bandit Leaders Jijji, Kachallah Sagili
Residents of Talata Mafara Local Government Area in Zamfara State have expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of State for Defence Dr Bello Matawalle, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa for their roles in the elimination of two notorious bandit leaders
The operation, which targeted Jajji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, has been hailed as a significant step towards restoring peace in the troubled region.
Yakubu Ibrahim Mafara, speaking on behalf of the Talata Mafara community, issued a statement on Friday commending the concerted efforts of the Nigerian government and security forces.
“We are very grateful to Matawalle, Tinubu, NSA, and others,” he said, reflecting the community’s relief and optimism following the operation.
The statement underscored the profound impact of the operation on the local population, which has long endured the terror inflicted by bandit groups in Zamfara State.
The operation took place on Thursday in Maikwanugga, a community within Talata Mafara Local Government Area, where security forces, alongside local vigilante groups, conducted targeted patrols along the Mafara axis.
According to the statement, reports indicate that Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, both feared bandit leaders responsible for numerous attacks, kidnappings, and extortion in the region, were neutralised during the operation.
” Their deaths have been described as a turning point for the community, which has suffered years of violence and insecurity.
“The killing of Jijji Ɗan Auta has brought relief and fresh air into our community,” Yakubu said, echoing the sentiments of residents who have lived under the shadow of banditry for years.
The operation is seen as a direct response to the escalating violence in Zamfara, where armed groups have terrorised rural communities, disrupted livelihoods, and displaced thousands.
The community’s gratitude reflects growing confidence in the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest.
Meanwhile, the operation was a collaborative effort involving the Nigerian military and local vigilantes, who have increasingly played a critical role in intelligence-gathering and community defence.
The patrols in the Mafara axis were part of a broader strategy to dismantle bandit strongholds and restore normalcy to Zamfara, a state that has become a hotspot for banditry and kidnapping in recent years.
“The elimination of Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili is expected to weaken the operational capacity of bandit groups in the region.”