News
Rejig Security Architecture To Tame Insecurity, NAWOJ Tasks FG …Deplores State Of Roads, Rising Food Costs, Others … Sanctions Erring Officers
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called on the Federal Government to strengthen the nation’s security architecture to address security challenges in different parts of the nation, while challenging all security agencies to be alive to their constitutional responsibilities to tame the ugly trend.
This is as the association also noted the deplorable condition of federal roads across the country, and appealed to the appropriate authorities to take urgent steps to fix the roads to avoid increasing road accidents and its attendant consequences.
It further called on the Federal Government to look into the rising cost of food items, cooking gas, building materials, among others, with a view to reducing the cost of living for citizens in the country, just as the association NEC frowned at the rising cases of gender-based violence, and stressed the need to ensure the workability of family courts to ensure justice for victims.
These positions were contained in a communiqué drafted by a committee Chaired by Dr. Dorathy Nnaji, with Rose Elishama as secretary and Nene Dung as member, at the end of NAWOJ NEC meeting held in Lafia, Nasarawa State on November 3 – 5, 2021, and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt by its National Secretary, Helen Udofa, last Saturday.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), comprising members of the Central Working Committee (CWC), state chairpersons and secretaries of NAWOJ, met on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at Nasarawa Luxury Hotel, Lafia, Nasarawa State capital.
The NAWOJ NEC meeting was preceded by a National Security Summit on the theme: “National Interest Amidst Insecurity: The Role of the Media” organised by the National Secretariat of NAWOJ at the same venue.
The communique read: “At the meeting, which was presided over by the National President of NAWOJ, Comrade Ladi Bala, issues concerning our association and the state of the nation were discussed and the NEC in session resolved as follows:
“NEC in session commended Nasarawa State Governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule, for sponsoring, hosting and making the NEC Meeting in Lafia very comfortable for members.
“The NEC frowned at the indiscriminate issuance of awards to individuals by state chairpersons without recourse to the National Secretariat, warning that henceforth, all state chapters must liaise with the National Secretariat for approval before issuing any award.
“In view of accommodation challenges facing the National Secretariat of NAWOJ, NEC-in-session mandated the National President to apply to the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCTDA) for allocation of a plot of land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to NAWOJ for the construction of a National Secretariat Complex of NAWOJ.
“Following the stagnation of activities in Enugu State NAWOJ for one year now, due to the fact that the state chairperson is critically ill, among other issues raised against her, NEC directed the Chairperson of Enugu State NAWOJ, Chinyere Mgboh, to hand over the mantle of leadership to the vice chairperson within 14 days or face suspension.
“NEC-in-session ordered Rivers State NAWOJ Chairperson, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, to tender unreserved apologies to the National President of NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, retracting all the derogatory and repugnant comments she posted on various social media platforms against the person of the NUJ President and the union during the period ahead of the NUJ Triennial National Delegates Conference in Umuahia, in October 2021. The apology, MUST also be published in all the social media platforms she posted her scandalous comments within seven days or face suspension.
“NEC-in-session suspended the immediate past chairperson of Imo State NAWOJ, Vivian Ottih, indefinitely, for still parading herself as chairperson of Imo State NAWOJ after she lost her re-election bid and despite a disclaimer issued against her by the National Secretariat on the matter. NEC resolved that, henceforth, if she continues to impersonate as Imo State chairperson of NAWOJ, she will be handed over to security operatives for necessary action.
“The NEC urged state chapters of NAWOJ to open bank accounts in the name of the association where none existed for proper financial accountability; create more visibility through laudable programmes, while all members must work hard for the progress of NAWOJ, and be mandatorily financially up-to-date.
“The NEC approved the inauguration of a three-man Ethics and Disciplinary Committee made up of the National Financial Secretary, Adeola Adekunle, as chairman and the Chairperson of Akwa Ibom NAWOJ, Uduak Utip Ekong as well as the Secretary of Kano State NAWOJ, Wasilah Ladan, as members, with a mandate to handle issues of indiscipline and gross misconduct.
“NEC resolved that state chapters must adopt all press releases issued by the National Secretariat on national issues, while press releases by state chapters must be limited to issues peculiar to the states. In addition, NEC barred state secretaries from calling for monthly congresses without the knowledge and approval of the state chairpersons.
“On the state of the nation: The issue of insecurity in the country caught the attention of NEC-in-session as it called on the Federal Government to strengthen the nation’s security architecture to address security challenges in different parts of the nation.
“NEC also called on all security agencies to be alive to their constitutional responsibilities, especially in view of the Anambra State governorship election and IPOB sit-at-home order.
“NEC noted the deplorable condition of federal roads across the country, and appealed to the appropriate authorities to take urgent steps to fix federal roads to avoid increasing road accidents and its attendant consequences.
“NEC called on the Federal Government to look into the rising cost of food items, cooking gas, building materials, etc, with a view to reducing the cost of living for citizens in the country.
“NEC frowned at the rising cases of gender-based violence, and stressed the need to ensure the workability of family courts to ensure justice for victims”, the communiqué added.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
News
RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor