News
Taking Indian Hemp Out Of Reach Will Curb Violence -NDLEA
Ahead of this year’s general elections scheduled for February 16 and March 2nd, respectively the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said it is raiding Indian hemp smoking joints in Anambra State to decrease supply.
The NDLEA Commander in the state, Sule Momodu who disclosed this yesterday at a press conference in Awka, the Anambra State capital believes that there is a correlation between the supply of the substance and the level of violence in elections.
He said the raid was a pre-emptive measure to take away the substance out of the reach of the youths during the polls.
Momodu said 20 suspects were arrested during the exercise, saying that the NDLEA would ensure that any person arrested in such circumstance would be made to face the law.
He said,” Since there is no crime without drug, we have started raiding smoking joints in the state ahead of the elections.
“It has been a common practice for politicians to procure drugs for their thugs during elections, so we have commenced this exercise to ensure that there will be no place to obtain or smoke such drugs during the elections.
“Sometimes they don’t come back after our raid; sometimes they do. We want to tell them that drug is not the way of life.
“We intend to work in conjunction with the Operation Python Dance III to discourage this cankerworm.”
While warning politicians to desist from misleading the youths by procuring drugs for them during elections, Momodu said any politician caught in such act would be punished accordingly.
“We can raid private houses of politicians if it is established that crime is committed there. We intend to work in conjunction with the Operation Python Dance III for this purpose. Politicians don’t have immunity. Anybody arrested will face the full force of the law; we will ensure the sledgehammer falls on such culprit.
“We will increase operations to ‘starve’ this youth of this drug by ensuring that they won’t have a place to smoke it and a place to obtain it.
“What we are telling our politicians is to leave our young men alone. Drug is not a way of life”, Momodu stated.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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