News

Marwa warns drug barons, cartels to quit or expect hard time

Published

3 weeks ago

November 15, 2025

ADMIN

…thanks President Tinubu for his reappointment to continue ongoing efforts against drug menace

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) has warned drug barons, traffickers and their cartels to quit the criminal trade or face more hard time during his second tenure.

Marwa who was reappointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second tenure of five years on Friday 14th November 2025 told jubilating management staff, officers, men and women of the Agency who gathered to welcome him at its National Headquarters in Abuja following the presidential announcement that his second tenure will be hell and bleak for those who fail to quit the illicit drug trade. He expressed appreciation to the president for the recognition of ongoing efforts against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

“First of all, what a surprise, I did not expect to come back from jumat service to meet these great felicitations, dancing and singing by our personnel. Thank you very much. We would like to thank the almighty God, because always the glory has to go to Him for everything.

“We thank the President and Commander-in-Chief for the special recognition of our collective efforts and the new mandate for us to continue with the war against drug abuse and trafficking. I thank the management, officers, men and women of the agency, who continue to provide service to the nation 24/7, in spite of the risks that you all face”, he stated.

He also acknowledged the unflinching support by the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun while also expressing thanks to “all our local and international partners, with whom we have continued to collaborate towards ridding Nigeria of illicit substances.”

For the drug cartels, Marwa has a message: “First, this word must go to the cartels.

The cartels have not seen anything yet. I promise them this second tenure is going to be hell and bleak for them. Drugs shall not pass, in or out or within Nigeria.” He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment towards President Tinubu’s mandate, assuring that “in line with our Act, we will continue to do our level best. I remember in my inaugural speech, the day I took over, and I said very clearly that NDLEA will be feared by the drug cartels. And that’s just the beginning.”

“At the same time, I must appeal to those who are engaged in illicit drug trafficking that this is the right time for them to drop that criminal business and face something legitimate. It is in line with that that we established the Alternative Development Unit, which seeks to persuade those who are perpetrating the illicit drug activities, particularly cannabis growers, who are our greatest challenge in Nigeria, to desist from the habit, collaborate with us. We are going to support towards licit cultivation of crops that are legitimate, legal, and you can sleep with your two eyes closed.

“But those who refuse to do that can be sure that the NDLEA is up and able on its task of law enforcement. You will be arrested, the drugs will be seized, and your assets will be confiscated. So, you come out from jail, there will be nothing left.”

He also assured that the Agency will remain committed to its drug demand reduction efforts. “I’ll take the opportunity again to announce the rededication of our efforts towards prevention, sensitization, counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation of our children in our 30 rehabilitation centres. And with the support of the President and the Renewed Hope Agenda, seven more rehab centres are coming up under the 2025 budget that will now make every state to have its own rehab centre.

“And as well, there will be zonal rehab, more rehab centres and we are getting full collaboration from the Honorable Minister of Health. We appreciate his efforts also, and the Honorable Minister of Education, who has accepted our recommendation for drug tests for our children on admission to tertiary institutions, so that with this we can catch them young before it gets into addiction stage. May the Almighty God bless our President, bless all those that are supporting us, bless the officers, men and women of NDLEA.”

News

PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

Published

1 hour ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Minister of FCT today inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike today, Friday inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa.

The project is titled; Full scope development of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with Two Interchange Bridges at N16/RRII and N16/RIII intersections.

The portion from RRI to Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) within Katampe District was developed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to mark 2nd year Anniversary of his Administration.

The portion from N20 to RRII is being developed under Jahi District Infrastructure Project, leaving the undeveloped portion from RRIII to Arterial Road N40 to link the road that leads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana Districts.

The portion of this Arterial Road N16 under reference traverses the Gwarimpa Housing Estate and this segment of the road when developed will provide access to the Gwarimpa Housing Estate located within Bunkoro and Wupa Districts as well as Sector Center E which is the hub of commercial and social activities comprising group of four districts namely; Gwarimpa II – C03, Kafe – C05, Wupa – C15 and Bunkoro – C18 Districts in Phase III of the Federal Capital City.

See photos:

News

“Why I dumped PDP for APC “- Rivers Speaker, Amaewhule

Published

3 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, on Friday gave reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the PDP,” Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, told the lawmakers on Friday.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for some programmes embarked upon by his administration that have benefited Nigerians, especially Rivers people.

According to the Speaker, his defection would enable him to partner with President Tinubu for the overall good of the Rivers people.

Amaewhule said, “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.

“APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country. I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress.”

Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Since returning to civil rule in 1999, the PDP has maintained a tight grip on the oil-rich Rivers state, until the protracted crisis rocked the state, which pitched the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The crisis led to the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces allegedly loyal to Fubara as well as the attempted moves to impeach the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Worried by the development, President Bola Tinubu waded in to douse the tensions and declared a state of emergency on March 18.

The emergency declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers.

At the expiration of the exercise, he reinstated Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers on September 17.

News

Finally Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Assembly Members Dump PDP , join APC

Published

4 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the All Progressives Congress.

Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

The House of Assembly is currently in session with the defectors blaming their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the crisis in the party.

Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Details shortly…