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PRESS STATEMENT BY THE NORTH CENTRAL PEOPLE’S FORUM (NCPF) ON THE PASSAGE OF NORTH CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (NCDC) ESTABLISHMENT BILL INTO LAW BY THE SENATE

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The North Central People’s Forum(NCPF) received with tremendous excitement and deep appreciation the news of the successful passage of North Central Development Commission (NCDC) establishment bill into law by the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This highly laudable and landmark bill has come at the most appropriate time, to assist towards rapid socio-economic development of the North Central zone of Nigeria, which had suffered great setback and neglect in the past.


North central states, made up of Plateau, Nassarawa, Kogi, Benue, Niger, Kwara, and Federal Capital Territory(FCT) is naturally endowed with arable land for agriculture, huge solid mineral deposits, oil and gas, long stretch of rivers Niger and Benue, as well as huge potential for tourism with beautiful and attractive sites such as Zuma rock, waterfalls and forest reserves, found in several locations in the zone.
In spite it’s huge potentials, the North central zone has remained largely underdeveloped due to insecurity problems that has bedeviled its landscape, such as farmer/herders clashes, banditry/kidnapping, flood disaster, etc. which has hindered its people from engaging in productive economic activities, such as farming and trading.


Similarly, as a result of constant violent killings due to farmers’/herders clashes, communal conflicts and other forms of
insecurity, millions of its inhabitants were forced to live in IDP camps spread in school buildings and temporary structures.
Therefore, the establishment of the North Central Development Commission ,with funds to be received from the federal government and international donor agencies , offer great opportunity for resettlement of displaced persons ,reconstruction of roads, houses and business premises of victims of farmers/herders clashes and communal conflict, tackling developmental challenges of poverty/illiteracy, as well as creating enabling environment to attract investments into socio-economic sectors for rapid transformation and progress of the North Central zone.


In view of these huge benefits from the establishment of the NCDC, the NCPF wishes to express its huge gratitude to the minority leader of the senate, Senator Abba Moro and other senators from the North central states, who persistently sponsored the establishment of the bill since the 9th senate until it was finally passed by the 10th senate. Similarly, the NCPF appreciates the leadership of the senate led by the senate president Godswill Akpabio, and other senators who supported the passage of the NCDC bill.
The NCPF also wish to appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to expeditiously give his assent to the bill, after its anticipated concurrence by the House of Representatives, to enable speedy constitution of the North Central Development Commission, to fulfil its mandate for socio-economic transformation of the North Central zone.
Engr. Sani Ndanusa
National Chairman, NCPF

Wanted drug baron arrested in village mansion as NDLEA recovers meth, precursors, guns

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By Ebinum Samuel

A major drug cartel behind the production and distribution of deadly psychoactive substance, methamphetamine, popularly called ‘mkpuru mmiri’ has been taken down by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, following the arrest of the leader of the syndicate, 42-year-old Joachin Chikaodi Mbonu and his associate in his mansion tucked in his Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru local government area of Imo State.
The cartel with operational bases in Imo and Rivers state became a target of the Agency following intelligence indicating it is responsible for the distribution of substantial quantity of methamphetamine in South East, South South and other parts of the country.


After weeks of surveillance, officers of a special operations unit of the Agency on Friday 5th July 2024, tracked and traced the drug lord to his village mansion in Imo state where he was caught with a member of his cartel, Kenneth Chibuike Ofoegbu, 34, with different quantities of methamphetamine, its precursor chemicals, a pump action gun and cartridges recovered.
Exhibits recovered from the house include: 419.99 grams of methamphetamine; 750 grams of iodine, a precursor chemical for meth; 500 grams of sodium bicarbonate, a precursor chemical for meth; two electronic weighing scales and a pump action gun with four cartridges.


The operatives moved swiftly to another of Mbonu’s hideout located at 11 Redemption Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers state where they recovered additional exhibits: 750 grams of processed sodium bicarbonate; 170 grams of plain sodium bicarbonate and 75 grams of meth.
Another raid in the home of one of Mbonu’s associates, Odoemenam Pedro Chinedu, currently at large, at Njaba LGA, Imo state, led to the recovery of another pump action gun with 25 cartridges, among other items. While the kingpin cools his heels in custody, two of his mansions in Imo state have been marked for possible forfeiture to the federal government.
Mbonu had escaped from South Africa where he lived for years and mastered the art of cooking methamphetamine after he came under investigation for drug dealings. Upon his return to Nigeria, he continued the criminal trade by setting up clandestine laboratories in remote villages to shield his nefarious activities.


Reacting to the successful taking down of the meth syndicate, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men involved in the multi-pronged operation, while he stated that the manner the interdiction was carried out should send a strong signal to other cartels that there’s no hiding place for them in any part of the country.

Truck Crushes Female Biker To Death In Lagos

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By Ebinum Samuel

Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other emergency responders today recovered the body of a female biker trapped under a loaded containerized truck in Lagos.

The Special Adviser to the Governor, Hon. Sola Giwa disclosed that the incident occurred at approximately 6:15 am at Sifax inward Iganmu Bridge, Lagos.

Giwa stated that the driver of a loaded containerized truck lost control while in motion and the truck fell on a female biker while descending Iganmu Bridge.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the truck driver, who was speeding, lost control and caused the truck to fall on the female biker.

The driver fled the scene upon realizing the severity of the accident.

“Immediately after the incident, LASTMA personnel called in other emergency responders, including the Lasema Response Unit (LRU), for a rescue operation,” Giwa said.

He added that the deceased’s body was taken away by personnel from the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), and the containerized truck was evacuated to clear the way for free vehicular movement on Iganmu Bridge.

Police officers from Ijora Badia provided security during the rescue operation.

While expressing his condolences to the family of the deceased, Giwa warned truck drivers to adhere to speed limits both within and outside the state.

He also advised motorcycle operators, both commercial and private to obey traffic rules and regulations as stipulated in the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

Mr Adebayo Taofiq, the
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA confirmed the story.

IIPS trains 91 Police Officers on criminal profiling in Lagos

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By Ebinum Samuel


The International Institute of Professional Security, IIPS, trained 91 police officers over the weekend during a two-day training session at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti Lagos, focusing on criminal profiling.

The training marked the second event organized by Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Ahmed Lateef since he assumed office in March 2024.

According to DCP Lateef, training police officers has always been my utmost desire. “For officers to perform well in their various departments, training is inevitable. This is why I always go the extra mile to deploy experts to come and train my men because it has been my utmost desire.”

Speaking to newsmen about the training, State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Public Relations Officer, ASP Uthman Mogaji added that the training comprised 91 police officers as well as Industrial Training, IT, students.

She stated, “We had training with people from the International Institute of Professional Security. The total number of officers that participated was 91, including the Area Commander from Area D, and all Divisional Police Officers, DPO, under his supervision.

“We had six IT students who were also involved in the training. During the two-day lecture, the first trainer, Mr. Gbon Thomas, explained the difference between criminal profiling and police investigation and provided us with the best of his knowledge.

“Following that, we had Mrs. Folashade, who lectured on social skills. She emphasized the skills needed to be good investigators, such as effective communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Her lecture was impactful. Afterward, Dr. Tunji took the stage and discussed leadership in the security department, covering the laws of leadership, wisdom, humility, and decision-making. Every officer involved in the training was able to take home valuable lessons. Dr. Tunji also talked about diplomacy and other related topics.”

Continuing, Mogaji added, “It was a two-day training with facilitators from the International Institute of Professional Security. Dr. Tunji took the first part on the first day and taught us the fundamentals of pathfinding. He explained the aims and objectives of investigations, the characteristics of pathfinding, and the importance of impartiality and honesty. He also discussed the gathering of material evidence.

“Another lecturer discussed criminal profiling, quoting Otega 1999, stating that profiling must be based on facts rather than assumptions. The lecture was educational, covering topics such as victimology.”

Speaking on the criteria used in selecting participants, Mogaji added, “The criteria for being a partaker were open to everyone. There were no restrictions. Since DCP resumed office, he has been consistently organizing training for us since March 2024.”

Officers from various divisions were seen by this reporter in uniform, writing and asking questions during the two-day event.

LASTMA Impounds 9,370 Vehicles Over Traffic Offences In Six Months

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By Ebinum Samuel

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has impounded 9,370 vehicles from January 2024 to June 2024 for alleged traffic violations.The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed this figure today during a meeting with relevant stakeholders in the transportation industry.

Mr. Bakare-Oki further disclosed that 3,034 private vehicles were impounded, including 1,849 cars, 549 buses, and 636 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), among others.According to the General Manager, “256 casualties were recorded during this period.”He urged the motoring public, especially motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations and to respect traffic managers.”In the last six months, it has been a mix of good, bad, and ugly, but we have managed to overcome many challenges, particularly in training and retraining our personnel,” Bakare-Oki said.”We have successfully trained 2,000 of our staff, both internally and externally.”

He revealed that over 900 personnel were trained externally in collaboration with the training department of the Nigerian Police, Lagos Command.Additionally, more than 1,200 traffic officers received training from three different consultants on leadership skills, emotional intelligence, customer care, and incident management.”We are undertaking these initiatives to improve our service delivery to Lagos residents. LASTMA aims to rebuild public confidence, particularly in public relations.”Mr. Bakare-Oki announced that the authority’s call center would be launched soon and would be toll-free, accommodating English, Yoruba, and Pidgin to facilitate feedback.

Regarding enforcement, the General Manager highlighted that LASTMA began by clearing the Apapa Port area, conducting several operations to remove trucks and tankers parked indiscriminately along the Apapa route.”Apart from the Apapa corridor and Iyana-Ipaja, we also cleared areas like Idumota, Apogbon, CMS, and the Lekki-Ajah axis, improving the level of orderliness in these areas.

We have made significant strides across the five divisions in Lagos in terms of enforcement, and this effort is ongoing.””We are committed to improving travel time for Lagos residents, especially during peak periods,” he said.Mr. Bakare-Oki added that LASTMA is taking all necessary measures to enhance traffic management in the state, including the deployment of over 2,000 traffic equipment.

MESSAGE TO MY FRIEND, GOVERNOR DOUYE DIRI OF BAYELSA STATE, ON THE ANAMBRA STATE EXAMPLE

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By Iniruo Wills, Esq

I wish Governor Douye Diri’s Bayelsa State Government would take a cue from Governor Soludo’s Anambra State Government and also implement key recommendations of the commissions it set up, especially the Archbishop John Sentamu Commission on environmental pollution.The commission was set up 19 or 7 years later than it should have been, depending on how one looks at it.

Due to constraints traceable mostly to the state government and not to the panel, it then took 4 years to probe pollution in the state and produce its report, which with the right support could have been done in 2 years max.After a lot of waiting and pressure from various quarters, the report was finally released at a room in the House of Lords premises in London (like many things Nigeria) on 17 May last year.

Over a year later, not aword of the report has been implemented nor (if we must follow ourobsession with ceremonies) formally launched in Bayelsa State, the oil pollution epicentre of the world, and the state with the largest share of over one billion litres of petroleum equivalent spilled in Nigeria from 1956 till date.

If you can reach my Governor please beg or demand by any lawful means that he implements that report of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission (https://report.bayelsacommission.org/).

And please remind Archbishop Sentamu and his fellow multinational panelists that they owe pollution-choked villagers from Ikarama to Otuabagi to Gbarain to the Nembe communities and Aghoro, who now feel like tired guinea pigs in frequent seemingly academic sorties, a duty to apply their moral capital to insist on full, faithful and immediate implementation of the report.It is time for Niger Delta people to ask their leaders to stop blaming “others” only and start cleaning their hands before coming to equity.Over to you all, @AnnaZalik, @MichalWatts, @IsaacOsuoka, @EmesehEngobo, @KathrynNwajiaku, @LuckyWorika et al.INIRUO WILLS6 July 2024

NDLEA smashes cocaine syndicate, arrests couple, recovers N2.1b drug in Lagos raid

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Nabs Osun monarch, Chadian, youth corps member for drug trafficking

By Ebinum Samuel

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have raided the Lagos base of a high-profile cocaine syndicate headed by a couple: Agbakoba John Mmadu, and Agbakoba Ijeoma Chinwe as well as their associate, Okoye Ifeoma Maryjane, where large consignments of the class A drug meant for export and local distribution were recovered. The raid carried out by a special operations unit of the Agency followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance on the syndicate notorious for packaging, distributing and trafficking of cocaine within and outside Nigeria. The 54-year-old Agbakoba John Mmadu was arrested at Ago palace way, Okota while his wife, Agbakoba Ijeoma Chinwe, 39, and associate, Okoye Ifeoma Maryjane, 31, who doubles as their stash keeper, were nabbed at Plot 2205 Eugene Ndubisi close, Lilly Estate, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, all on Wednesday 3rd July 2024.While seven parcels of cocaine with a total weight of 7.652 kilograms were recovered from Mmadu at Ago palace way, not less than one hundred and twenty-two (122) compressed pellets of the same drug weighing 2.42kg were seized from the duo of Ijeoma and Ifeoma at Lilly Estate, bringing the total seizure to 10.1 kilograms valued at over N2.1 billion in street value.In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Benue state on Thursday 4th July intercepted a consignment of 350 grams of cocaine at a check point along Enugu road, Otukpo. The illicit drug was concealed in an MP3 speaker sent as a waybill parcel. A swift follow up operation at Flight motor park in Otukpo led to the arrest of the owner, 25-year-old Odeh Anthony.

Meanwhile, NDLEA officers on a stop and search operation along Ngurore – Yola road in Adamawa state on Wednesday 3rd July arrested a Chadian, Yves Ahmat Gali in a commercial bus coming from Kano to Yola. The suspect was found with a loud speaker used to conceal 20 compressed blocks, and nine plastic containers of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 5.200kg. In Kano, operatives on Wednesday 3rd July arrested a youth corps member, Yusuf Abdulrahman, 25, at Corpers Lodge, Sumaila area of the city, with 1.250kg of Loud, while in Osun state, the head of Akarabata community in Ile-Ife, Ba’ale Ige Babatunde, 50, was on Friday 5th July arrested with fresh cannabis plants that weighed 5kg.Two suspects: Monday Ali, 49, and Jimoh Alewi, 37, were arrested when NDLEA operatives raided Ikota forest in Ifedore LGA, Ondo state where a total of 42,500kg cannabis was destroyed on 17 hectares of farmland while 73.5kg of same substance was recovered for the prosecution of the suspects during a five-day operation that ended on Monday 1st July.

In Abuja, the FCT, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 6th July arrested the duo of Sanusi Mamman, 28, and Usaini Ibrahim, 20, in a vehicle along Abaji- Gwagwalada with 1,132 bottles of codeine syrup; 13, 540 pills of tramadol; 50,000 pills of diazepam and 59 pills of rophynol. The suspects claimed they were bringing the opioids from Onitsha, Anambra state. With the same drive, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students of Community Grammar School (Junior), Aroro, Ibadan, Oyo state; students of Candy Secondary School, Agu Awka, Anambra state; students of Community High School, Umuida, Enugu Ezike, Enugu state; students of School for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Kofar Nasarawa, Kano state and WADA sensitisation lecture organized by Zone M Zonal Command of NDLEA at Sabo motor park, Kaduna, among others.While commending the officers and men of the Special Operations Unit, Osun, Benue, Ondo, Kano, and FCT Commands for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities while he charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the tempo.

Police In Delta State Obliterates Kidnapper, Nabs 3 Other Suspects

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By Ebinum Samuel

 

Crime bursting strategies recently adopted by the Delta state Commissioner of Police, Mr Abaniwonda, Olufemi is yielding fruits as a notorious kidnapper has been killed by police operatives who also arrested three others and recovered arms. According to SP Edafe Bright, the police image maker, acting on credible intelligence gathered over a period and on in-dept technical intelligence related to the kidnapping of one male victim (name withheld) kidnapped on 17th May 2024 at his resident in Adjakota area In Ughelli South LGA of Delta State and later murdered by the kidnappers, the operatives on special assignment led by ASP Julius Robinson cracked down on the deadly kidnapping syndicate responsible for the act on 01/07/2024 at about 1200hrs and arrested one Ismaila Umaru 28yrs ‘m’ of Kekura Village In Awe LGA of Nasarawa State but resident at Oghara town by Power Line, Delta State.

Edafe said on 04/07/2024 at about 2030hrs the suspect led operatives to the arrest of two other members of the gang whose names are Chede Mohammed ‘m’ 18yrs , a native of Nasarawa State but resident of Agwara in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State and Mohammadu Sani ‘m’ 26yrs a native of Banbiru area of Abuja but resident at Upper Agbarho Area of Ughelli North. The spokesman said based on their confessions at about 0530hrs of yesterday, the operatives stormed the bush by Oviri-ogor . The gang members in this place attacked the team attack from other gang members.

In a gun duel one of the suspects sustained injuries and died on the way to hospital. Three others were arrested by the police. An AK 49 rifle was recovered in their hideout as the police have begun manhunt for other members of the gang.

Okoloba, Akugbene & Okuama Crisis: CP Abaniwonda of Delta State Meets With Leaders of Communities

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By Ebinum Samuel

The Commissioner of Police Delta State, Mr Abaniwonda Olufemi on last weekend met with leaders and members of Okoloba, Akugbene and Okuama communities. The meeting became necessary due to the lingering crisis among the three communities. The meeting took place at the Area Command office in Warri with the Delta State Director General security Hon. David Tonwea, also in attendance.

The Abaniwonda, in his remark stated that the meeting was not to pass judgement over the land dispute, but to look for a way forward to bring peace among the three communities. The representative from Okuama community Hon. Belvis Adogbo in his remark appreciated the effort of the state Government and the Police for their effort in ensuring that the lingering crisis comes to an end. He further stated that they have been living together in peace for many years until the recent land and fishing right dispute ensued. His remark was also buttressed by the representative of both Akugbene and Okoloba communities. The CP further noted that all the Command want is to find a way of resolving the dispute and stop the continuous crisis that has been leading to loss of human lives.

He said that having listen to all the leaders, it will be fair to say that the crisis is due to failure in leadership of the various communities (inability to control the youths) and communication gap. The DG security who represented the state government during the deliberation in his remarks stated that the conflict is not new to the state government, he itemized the way forward as thus; “The boundary issues, and the fishing right issue and thirdly leadership issue”. He acknowledged the effort of Dr. David Akpovokeme of Okoloba community and Professor Actor Ekpekpo of of Okuama community in the effort to address the lingering crisis. The DG security mandated the representative of Okuama community to provide their leadership to enable fruitful discussion with the government to bring the crisis to an end.

Sadly, He Died Hungry And Cold – Mother Mourns As Lagos Flood Sweeps Pupil Away

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The distraught mother said her son was supposed to write his common entrance exam.The mother of a primary six pupil, identified simply as Joshua, has been left in serious grief after her son was swept away by flood in Ikosi, Ketu area of Lagos State.A persistent rainfall, which started in the early hours of Wednesday, July 3, 2024, wreaked havoc in many parts of the state as buildings, cars, and roads were submerged by flood.

While residents are still counting their losses amid the torrential rainfall, a mother is reeling from the loss of her son due to the flood.The unfortunate incident reportedly occurred when Joshua was returning from school alongside his colleagues on the wet Wednesday afternoon.He was swept away by flood on Taiwo Street in Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos.Reacting to the tragic occurrence, Joshua’s mother, who trades in fruit, was drenched in tears while pulling her hair and lamenting the loss of her only child, per Daily Trust.“Joshua died hungry and cold. He was in primary six; he was supposed to write his common entrance exam,” she said.The grief-stricken mother revealed that she was living in a temporary shelter after losing her home in a fire incident.She pleaded with the public to help her recover her son, promising to do anything to get him back.

Witness narrates the incident. A witness, known in the area as Oloyede, said he saw the children walking in the rain and warned them to be careful because of the area.“But unfortunately, the plank that was used to bridge the canal was completely covered by water, and they fell into the drainage.“I managed to swim and rescue one of them, but unfortunately, Joshua was swept away by the heavy currents and died,” Oloyede, who is also a youth leader, said.As reported by Daily Trust, a community leader who craved anonymity blamed the government for abandoning a project to channel the drainage, leaving the area prone to flooding.“In January, the government started a project to channel the drainage, but they abandoned it, leaving us with this unfinished project. Every time it rains, the area is filled with water,” he said