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NDLEA seeks collective action against drug abuse, cultism
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The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.), has urged parents, traditional rulers, religious and community leaders to join forces with government to tackle drug abuse, cultism and banditry among the youths.
Marwa made the call on Saturday while delivering the keynote address at a seminar organised by the Ijebu Ode Council of Olorituns in Ogun State, according to a statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi.
The event, themed “Dangers of drug abuse, cultism and banditry among youths,” focused on what he described as the “triple threat” of cult-related violence, rampant drug abuse and banditry.
He noted that collective responsibility must be embraced by all stakeholders to curb the menace of the inter-linked social vices of illicit drugs, cultism and banditry.
According to him, the triple threat of cult-related violence, rampant abuse of drugs and illicit substances, and the challenge of banditry across various regions, is a reality that must be dealt with decisively.
Marwa said, “While these issues may appear distinct, they are intricately connected, feeding one another in a cycle of destruction that must be broken if our society is to thrive. Cultism, once largely confined to tertiary institutions, has insidiously spread into secondary schools and neighbourhoods.
“What began as secret gatherings has transformed into violent confraternities, often manipulated by political or criminal interests. These groups lure young people, often under the guise of brotherhood, protection or empowerment, into a world of fear, violence and premature death.
“Tragically, the hands of many of our youth have been stained with the blood of their peers, all for false promises of belonging and power.”
According to the NDLEA boss, it is projected that the number of people using drugs would increase by 40% in Africa.
He however said that despite the projection by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, all hope was not lost.
Marwa stated, “As a nation and as communities, we still possess the power to reverse this trend.
“The first step is collective responsibility. Parents, religious institutions, traditional rulers, educational authorities and community leaders must rise with one voice against these vices. The family unit must be strengthened as the first point of moral instruction, while schools should be safe spaces that promote discipline, mentorship and awareness.
“We must also invest in youth development by creating opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and sports. Idle hands, as we know, are the devil’s workshop. When our young people find purpose and meaning, they are less likely to seek false validation from cults or drugs.”
On NDLEA’s efforts, Marwa said the agency had intensified war against drug trafficking and abuse with nationwide raids leading to significant seizures and arrests.
“In the past 54 months, we have arrested 67,345 traffickers, including 95 barons, and 12,415 of them are presently serving various jail terms,” he said, adding that over 11.2 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs had been seized and 1,572 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed.
“Within the period, we have seized more than 11.2 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and destroyed 1,572 hectares of cannabis farms mostly in Southwest States where some people are cultivating cannabis on a large scale, utilising land that should have been used for other cash crops for illicit crops.
“We cannot do it alone. We need communities like Ijebu Ode to partner with us, to speak up, to report suspicious activities and to support our advocacy drives,” he said.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has convened an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to address a four-month dispute over a development project in Kuje, following allegations that a senior official demanded a N100 million bribe to facilitate approval.
The meeting follows claims made by the developer, Jacob & Co Hospitality, which alleged that the Deputy Director of South Development, Kalu Madubuike, demanded the payment in connection with the project.
In a statement issued on behalf of the company’s Director Kunle Diamond-Illori said the emergency session will bring together representatives of the developer, officials of the FCTA and other stakeholders in an effort to resolve the impasse.
According to the statement, Madubuike had admitted during an earlier meeting that he was acting on behalf of third-party interests.
“During a preliminary meeting, Kalu Madubuike admitted that he had been acting on behalf of third-party interests who asked him to represent their position before the FCTA,” the statement alleged.
The company described the emergency meeting as an important opportunity to restore confidence in the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“The meeting represents a major test of the government’s commitment to transparency and improving the ease of doing business. We hope it will mark a turning point in tackling corruption in Nigeria’s development sector,” the statement said.
The dispute centres on a development project in Kuje, Abuja, which the company said has been delayed for four months.
As of the time of filing this report, the allegations against Madubuike had not been independently verified, while the Federal Capital Territory Administration had not issued an official response to the bribery claims.
Efforts to obtain comments from the FCTA and the official named in the allegations were unsuccessful before publication. The report will be updated should either party respond.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos have announced a temporary shutdown in observance of the country’s Independence Day celebration.
The diplomatic offices will remain closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, according to an official notice released by the US Mission in Nigeria on Thursday.
This announcement was made through the mission’s official social media platforms, informing the public about the temporary closure of services at both locations.
According to the US Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of US Independence Day.”
The closure means regular consular and embassy services, including visa appointments and other public-facing operations, will be unavailable for the day. Normal activities are expected to resume after the holiday.
US Independence Day, popularly known as the Fourth of July, is celebrated annually to mark one of the most significant moments in American history.
The day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, when thirteen American colonies formally declared freedom from British rule.
An Abuja High Court on Thursday granted the first defendant, Mike Ozekhome, permission to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment for six weeks.
Ozekhome and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, were arraigned on February 27 by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on a 12-count charge bordering on forgery and impersonation arising from a disputed property ownership case in the United Kingdom.
Ruling on Ozekhome’s application for the temporary release of his international passport, Justice Chizoba Oji ordered him to return the passport to the court on or before August 26.
The judge had earlier been informed on Tuesday that the prosecution had failed to deposit the defendants’ passports with the court, contrary to the bail conditions granted in February. Consequently, the court directed the prosecution to produce the passports during Thursday’s proceedings.
In compliance with the order, the prosecution presented the international passports of both defendants.
After Ozekhome confirmed ownership of the passport, Justice Oji asked the prosecution counsel, C.L. Asonta, whether there was any objection to its temporary release.
Although Asonta raised no objection, he requested that Ozekhome be directed to return the passport within three working days of his return to Nigeria.
Granting the application, the judge said: “Having considered the motion and noting that there is no objection, I hereby grant the request for the temporary release of the first defendant’s international passport to enable him to embark on his medical trip.”
Justice Oji ruled that the six-week period would run from July 9 to August 20 and ordered Ozekhome to return the passport to the court on or before August 26.
The court subsequently adjourned the trial until September 28 for continuation.
Ponfa Useni, the second defendant, is the son of the late Lt.-Gen. Jeremiah Useni, who served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the military administration of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.
According to the prosecution, the defendants conspired in 2020 to procure a false Nigerian international passport, No. A07535463, in the name of Tali Shani.Geographic Reference
The prosecution further alleged that Ozekhome assisted Useni in impersonating Tali Shani and that both defendants also created a forged irrevocable power of attorney to facilitate Ozekhome’s claim to the disputed property in the United Kingdom.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
FCTA Convenes Emergency Meeting Over Stalled Abuja Project Amid N100m Bribery Allegation
US Embassy, Consulate in Nigeria temporarily shutdown
Forgery case: Court grants Ozekhome permission for six-week medical trip to UK
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