News
Continuous Training Vital in Combating Drug Cartels, Says Marwa
As 23 NDLEA officers graduate from intensive training by Germans the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) emphasisedthat the importance of training in tackling the scourge of drug trafficking has the closing ceremony of a two-week training for NDLEA officers on combating international drug trafficking, sponsored by the German government.

The ceremony, held at the Agency’s national headquarters, Jahi, Abuja, on Friday, 29th November 2024, (today) was attended by the top management of the Agency and a team of German instructors led by a representative of the German embassy in Nigeria.
Speaking at the occasion, Marwa said: “To tackle the drug challenge, the number one priority, obviously, is the professionalism of the human resources, which you can only achieve through training. Unless personnel are properly equipped with training, they cannot do their job. That is the more reason we are emphasizing the training of our personnel.”

The two-week training organised by the German Federal Criminal Police Office, otherwise known as Bundeskriminalamnt (BKA) covered core areas including principles of crime scene investigations and training in West Africa Police Investigation System (WAPIS). The 23 participants, drawn from various departments of the Agency, were engaged in classroom work, presentations and practical exercises for the duration of the programme.
The representative of the German embassy, Ms. Uduak Abasi Akpabio said: “The federal foreign office funding of this programme is part of the German government’s greater engagement in police reforms and security sector reform more generally. Our support reflects the German government’s commitment to fostering stability, especially as it pertains to addressing the menace of international drug trafficking.”
She further appreciated the work of the NDLEA which she described as “a critical pillar in safeguarding Nigeria’s stability, security and wellbeing of its citizens”, adding that “By investing in the capacity of these officers, you have strengthened not only Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking but also the global framework for combating this menace.”

While appreciating the German government’s gesture, Marwa said: “We appreciate deeply the gesture of supporting the NDLEA with the right training for combating international drug trafficking. It’s a collaborative effort now. Because the drug terrain is international.”
He noted that the canine unit supplied and funded by the Germans has been very effective in critical cases such as the discovery of the Captagon shipment in Lagos Port in 2021.

“To those who have been trained today, congratulations. You are quite lucky to receive this calibre of training from the BKA, one of the world’s most efficient institutions on criminal policing. You have to remember that German training in any respect is at its peak globally. Count yourselves lucky that you are beneficiaries of training from BKA and you have to take full advantage of it and let’s see it on the ground. We also, in time, take full advantage of this training to also train others in the skills that you have acquired.”
The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates to the participants.
The BKA liaison officer in Nigeria, Dominik Muller presented a donation of kits and resources for substance test to the agency, while the NDLEA also presented plaques and mementos to the trainers in appreciation of their efforts.
News
We Don’t Have Enough Crude Oil For Dangote – Oyedele
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has said Nigeria does not currently have enough crude oil to supply the Dangote Petroleum Refinery with its daily requirement of 700,000 barrels.
Oyedele explained that the country was yet to reach a production level that would enable it to meet the refinery’s entire crude oil demand while also satisfying other domestic and export commitments.
“We (Nigeria) are still not at the point where we can give Dangote Refinery 700,000 barrels of crude oil; we don’t have enough to service Dangote Refinery,” he said.
The minister spoke on Friday while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.
His comments come amid ongoing concerns over Nigeria’s crude oil production capacity and the supply of crude to the Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest single-train refinery, which has a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
The development also comes as the Federal Government has announced a 30-day petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) filling stations, a move aimed at providing temporary relief to motorists and other fuel consumers amid the high cost of petroleum products.
The government said the temporary discount would run for 30 days, raising questions about how the measure would affect pump prices and whether consumers would experience significant relief from the persistent rise in transportation and living costs.
The initiative has also drawn reactions from opposition figures, who have questioned its timing and sustainability, arguing that a short-term price reduction may not address the underlying challenges in the downstream petroleum sector.
News
Abducted Kogi Councillor Dies In Captivity
Suspected kidnappers have reportedly killed a councillor representing Ogugu Ward III in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Hon. Rosemary Adukwu, days after her abduction.
Hon. Adukwu was said to be on her way to Onitsha market on 30th September 2026, when the kidnappers intercepted the commercial vehicle she boarded around Oji River axis, between Enugu and Anambra states.
The assailants reportedly dragged the councillor out of the vehicle and whisked her to their hideout in the forest.
A week after the abduction, the Chairman of Olamaboro Local Government Area, Dr. Ameh Williams, announced her death in a statement on Friday.
The statement read, “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden demise of our dear sister and colleague, Hon. Mrs. Rosemary Adukwu, the honourable councillor representing the good people of Ogugu Ward III in the eighth Olamaboro Legislative Council.”
The Chairman said the death was confirmed on Thursday while she was still in captivity.
However, the family of the deceased raised concerns over the circumstances of the incident, alleging that the kidnappers singled out the councillor, left other passengers untouched, and did not contact the family for ransom until her death was announced.
A family source said that it was while tracking the victim’s cellphone number that a receiver disclosed she had died in captivity.
The source said, “Hon. Rosemary Adukwu used to board this particular driver’s vehicle to Onitsha market to restock her business. On 30th September, she left for Onitsha after confirming from her usual driver that the market would hold on 1st October.
“At the boundary community between Enugu and Anambra states, precisely around Oji River, their vehicle ran into a barricade mounted by some people. Thereafter, the hoodlums dragged only her out of the vehicle and took her to an unknown destination. The other passengers continued their journey untouched.
“Her abductors did not contact the family for ransom for almost a week. Confused, the family contacted security operatives who tracked her cellphone . On Thursday, a voice announced while receiving the call that the owner of the phone is dead.”
According to the source, the driver of the vehicle and the person who received the victim’s cellphone call had been arrested and were assisting operatives with investigation.
Meanwhile, the President-General and the National Executive of Ogugu District Union (ODU), Deacon Samuel Ige Agada, condemned the “kidnapping and brutal killing” of the councillor, describing it as barbaric.
Agada said, “Hon. Adukwu was a dedicated grassroots leader, a hardworking businesswoman and a devoted mother and wife who was only striving to earn a living for her family. This is a painful loss not only to her family and Ogugu Ward III, but to UBELE District, Ogugu Chiefdom, Olamaboro LGA and Kogi State at large. We condemn this barbaric act in its totality.”
Reports indicated that Hon. Rosemary Adukwu was buried around 1 p.m. on Friday at her family compound in Ogugu Centre.
News
Gunmen Abduct 3 Staff At Cocoa Research Institute Ibadan
Three staff of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN, in Ibadan, have been kidnapped.
The victims were reportedly snatched from a farm within the premises of the institute while inspecting crops.
Public Relations Officer of the Oyo Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade confirmed the abduction, noting investigations have already commenced.
He urged members of the public who have necessary information to assist the command in the rescue operation.
“The Oyo State Police Command confirms a kidnapping incident involving three staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), who were abducted while inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises.
“Upon receiving the report, the command immediately commenced intensive efforts to secure the safe rescue of the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.”
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