Crime
FG advocates collaborative action on drug abuse
The Federal Government has called on relevant stakeholders to make concerted efforts towards ending drug abuse among the youths in the country so as to prepare them for employability, entrepreneurship as well as future leadership.
The director Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement quote the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare to have made the call on Thursday in his office in Abuja when he met with the Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, (UNODC), Mr. Oliver Stolpe to bolster partnership on drug abuse, prevention and control.
He stated that the visit of Mr. Stolpe demonstrates the commitment of the world body to drug abuse reduction and also speaks of its understanding of the damage and destruction that addiction to drugs do to our youth population.
“The work the UNODC is doing in this direction as partners with various agencies in our country, and also bringing together global action in this direction is quite commendable”, Dare said.
The Minister stated that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration has through his Ministry opened a lot of pathways for the youth through the creation of awareness as well as provided digital and life skill trainings aimed at reducing their involvement in drugs and other crimes and criminalities.
He stressed that, there is still a dire need to provide alternative avenues of support for the youths addicted to drugs, who got hooked on the menace as a result of depression or poverty.
“We must provide alternatives. We have a government that has opened the pathway for our youth in entrepreneurship and digital skills training. The challenge is to increase the numbers to ensure the onboarding of more youths, but the capacity to do more is limited by scarce resources, which we must devise innovative means to overcome,” he added.
On partnership with NYSC, the Minister stated that the three weeks orientation period for corps members and their Community Development Service (CDS) provides the avenue to develop programmes on drug abuse control and prevention.
He explained that the NYSC Radio that will soon be launched will be a veritable tool for mobilization and sensitization of our teeming youth in the fight against drug related vices, assuring that he will liaise with the Director-General as well as Management of the NYSC to conclude arrangements for partnership with the Agency.
Speaking earlier, the Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, (UNODC), Mr. Oliver Stolpe stated that the visit is a follow up to the launch last December of the National Drug Control Masterplan by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He emphasized that the UNODC was particularly captivated by the idea of deploying National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in sensitizing youth on drug control and prevention as canvassed by the Minister at the NDLEA event, which is why it becomes imperative to explore areas of partnership with the Ministry and NYSC, to bring it to fruition.
Also speaking, the Projects Officer, UNODC, Dr Akan Ibanga in his remarks, advocated the need for collaboration with the private sector to make the fight against drug abuse far-reaching, whilst re-aligning with the Federal Government’s call for concerted efforts by all relevant stakeholders in combating the menace.
Troops of the Nigerian Army on Saturday clamped down and apprehended 9 adherents of the Yoruba Nation who invaded the Oyo state Secretariat
Kitted in foreign military camouflage with berets and armed with dangerous weapons the attackers arrived in a commado style in buses and motorbikes, and started shooting sporadically after sighting the troops
However, the troops with superior firepower subdued the attackers, who retreated but in disarray.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement indicated that 9 members of the irredentist group were apprehended, while one Semi Automatic Pump Action rifle and ammunition were recovered.
He said while the situation is under control, troops have gone out to track down the fleeing adherents.
“We assure members of the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of the general area.
“We urge the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate security agencies. The safety and security of the citizenry remain a priority, as we will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace and order in the region,” Major General Nwachukwu assured
***Police confirms abduction of passengers
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Two buses fully loaded with Passengers travelling from the Eastern part of the country to Abuja have been highjacked and passengers abducted in Inele-Eteke Ogugu new road in Kogi east Senatorial district
The two buses belonging to God Is Good (GIG) transport and Logistics company and the ABC transport company were highjacked while heading to Abuja by Kidnappers in Kogi state.
The source further discosed that GIG bus left umuahia at 7:30 am on Saturday on its way to Abuja.
GIG motor
GIG company it was gathered has contacted security services and they are tracking them.
Meanwhile the Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the Saturday kidnap of passengers aboard two Abuja-bound buses from the Eastern part of the country on Inele-Eteke Ogugu new road in Kogi East Senatorial district of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Williams Aya (SP) made the confirmation in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Lokoja.
Aya who could not give the number of passengers however, confirmed that two buses were involved,
The PPRO said that the state Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Local Vigilantes and Hunters to comb the bushes with a view to apprehending the hoodlums and rescuing the victims.
He disclosed that Onuoha further deployed the Tactical Squad consisting of Quick Response Unit, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, as well as conventional Police personnel to the area to continue with the bush combing to ensure all victims are rescued unhurt.
Our correspondent gathered on Monday that the buses, one from GIG Motors and the other from ABC Transport heading to Abuja were intercepted by the gun-wielding hoodlums on the lonely road in Kogi state.
The victims were said to have been marched into the bush by the hoodlums leaving no traces.
According to the source, the GIG bus left Umuahia at about 7:30am on Saturday enroute Abuja adding that the GIG company said they had contacted security agencies.
***Fish out killers, Oyebanji orders security agents
Tragedy has struck in Ekiti State where gunmen yet to be identified laid ambush for two first class traditional rulers and gunned them down in a gruesome manner on Monday
The unfortunate incident occured on IRELE -Oke Ako road in Ikole Local government area of Ekiti State .
The slain traditional rulers are Oba Olumojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola.
Another traditional ruler, Oba Alara of Ara Ekiti,, Oba Adebayo Fatoba escaped being killed by the whiskers
They were said to be returning from a meeting when the gunmen opened fire on them, killing two of the traditional rulers on the spot.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji who confirmed the killing of the traditional rulers in a statement ordered security agencies to immediately fish out the killers of the two traditional rulers.
In the statement signed by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Yinka Oyebode, Oyebanji condemned the gruesome murder of the two traditional rulers.
The statement reads thus :
” Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has condemned Monday’s dastardly attack in Oke-Ako area in Ikole Local Government, which led to the gruesome killing of two traditional rulers; and ordered security agencies in the state to fish out the killers.
“The two traditional rulers- the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola were killed in an ambush by armed men while returning from a meeting.
“The third traditional ruler, the Alara of Ara –Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba escaped the attack.”
Oyebanji, said security agents have been despatched to the area to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
The killings were carried out barely one hour Governor Oyebanji presided over the state security council meeting in Ado-Ekiti.
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