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Drug abuse threatens Nigeria’s future, Marwa warns youths

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The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, retired Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, on Tuesday warned that drug abuse among young people remains one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s future.

Marwa issued the warning in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at the Football Anti-Drug Abuse Programme titled “Kick Out Drug Abuse,” organised by Richy Gold International Ltd in partnership with the NDLEA.

He commended the organisers for creatively harnessing the power of football—the world’s most popular sport—to engage youths in positive and life-changing activities.

According to Marwa, substances such as tobacco, alcohol, cannabis sativa, tramadol, codeine mixtures, cocaine, and methamphetamine are sadly being abused in schools, communities, and even sporting circles.

“These substances rob young people of their health, potential, and future. The devastating consequences are broken homes, wasted talents, increased crime rates, violence, and shattered communities,” he said.
The NDLEA chairman emphasised that prevention remains the best defence.

Marwa stressed that the football-based sensitisation programme highlights the value of using sports to steer youths away from destructive habits.

“Football teaches discipline, teamwork, resilience, and determination. Every pass, every goal, and every victory comes from focus and commitment.

“Similarly, in life, our youths are constantly faced with choices: whether to stay on the path of discipline or to fall into the dangerous trap of drug
abuse.

“Just as one reckless foul can cost a team a match, one poor choice to experiment with drugs can destroy dreams, ruin careers, and even cut short lives,” Marwa said.

He reminded the youths that professional footballers, whether in local leagues or on the international stage, maintain their excellence by living drug-free lives.

To win in football and in life, one must stay drug-free. Marwa warned that footballers who abuse drugs cannot sustain excellence on the pitch.

“Therefore, I urge every young person here to let football inspire you to channel your energy into creativity, hard work, and teamwork.

“Let the slogan ‘Kick Out Drug Abuse’ be more than words. Let it guide your lifestyle. Remember, saying no to drugs means saying yes to your dreams, your health, and your future,” he said.

Marwa reiterated the NDLEA’s full commitment to keeping drugs off Nigeria’s streets, out of schools, and far away from the nation’s youths.

He explained that the agency is strengthening prevention programmes and promoting counselling and rehabilitation for users who need help.

The agency is also deepening partnerships with ministries, agencies, schools, sports bodies, religious groups, and community leaders, among others.

Emphasis is placed on prevention targeting young people both in and out of school, with interventions designed to delay drug initiation while providing support for current users.

“However, the fight against drug abuse cannot be won by the NDLEA alone.

“We call on every young person to be a champion in your own corner—reject drugs and positively influence your peers,” he added.

Jude Onwusonye, Managing Director of Richy Gold International Ltd, said that beyond manufacturing, the organisation is proud to champion social impact through its flagship campaign, KODA.

Onwusonye described KODA as more than a project, calling it a clarion call, in partnership with relevant agencies, to safeguard the future of youth, combat drug abuse, and inspire a healthier, more productive society.

“At Richy Gold International Ltd, we don’t just make pharmaceutical products; we build healthier communities, restore hope, and fuel dreams.

“With innovation, integrity, and compassion at our core, we are redefining pharmaceutical excellence while leading the charge for a drug-free generation,” Onwusonye concluded.

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Crime

Gunmen invade ex-Ogun LG chairman’s residence

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An armed gang on Thursday morning invaded the residence of former Ijebu-Ode Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Emilola Gazal, carting away valuables, cash, and his vehicle.

Gazal, who is also the publisher of The Roots Magazine, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with our correspondent.

“The three armed men broke into my residence at Ijebu-Ode GRA at about 2 a.m. They collected all the cash with me after which they forced me to open my bank apps on my phone and transfer everything there to an account they provided. They left only N5,000 in my account.

“They also made away with my wife’s trinkets and with my ash-colour car. They actually told me they would be going away with my car. I am just going to report the incident to the police at Igbeba and Obalende, Ijebu-Ode”, Gazal told our correspondent.

PUNCH Online reports that this incident comes amid a spate of violent robberies and home invasions reported across Ogun State, particularly in the Ijebu area.

For example, earlier this year, the Ogun State Police Command killed a suspected armed robber in a gun duel along the Sagamu–Ijebu Ode Expressway.

The command, on September 12, 2025, also recently arrested a man linked to a burglary and armed robbery in Ayetoro, amounting to about N1.5 million in stolen goods.

Meanwhile, the regional security network, Amotekun Corps, has in past operations engaged criminal gangs in shootouts, neutralising suspects in Ogun’s border zones.

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Crime

How my father got me trafficked with fake job at Baghdad supermarket — Victim

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Following a six-hour raid by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, which led to the rescue of 24 suspected victims of human trafficking, one of the victims has vowed to sue her father for deceiving her into being trafficked.

The victim claimed that she was told by her father that his friend had a job for her at a supermarket in Baghdad, and was totally convinced she was going to better her life until her rescue by NAPTIP.

“My father told me that his friend has a job for me at a supermarket in Baghdad. He did not tell me that it is in Iraq.

“I know that Iraq is not a good place to work for now due to the crisis there, but I did not know that Baghdad is in Iraq. I thank the DG and her officers for rescuing me,” the victim said.

Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, who led a high-powered special operation team to the airport following a tip-off, revealed that among the suspected human traffickers arrested was a retired senior uniformed officer with one of the foremost law enforcement agencies in Nigeria, who is alleged to be a prominent member of the trafficking syndicate operating within the South West region of Nigeria.

In a statement by the National Press Officer of the agency on Wednesday, Bello said: “We observed that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is becoming a comfort zone for these traffickers, and that is why we have decided to shift attention to this airport.

“We will sustain this raid until they stop this unpatriotic and illicit trade in human beings.”

Expressing confidence in her team following the operation, she said: “We were able to arrest five suspected members of the trafficking gang who have been recruiting and trafficking our citizens to various tension-soaked countries, especially in the Middle East, for exploitation,” the DG said.

Bello explained that the victims, whose ages range between 15 and 26 years, were recruited from Kano, Katsina, Oyo, Ondo, and Rivers States, and were heading to Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Afghanistan.

The DG pointed out that a good number of the victims could not communicate in any other language apart from their local dialect, and most did not even know the location of their intended country of destination.

“They told my mother that they were taking me to Europe, where I would work and earn dollars. My parents were happy and they allowed me to follow them,” another victim narrated after the DG explained, with facts, what awaited them at their final destinations after being successfully trafficked.

Speaking further on the development, Bello expressed sadness over the activities of suspected human traffickers and unregistered labour recruiters, who have continued to deceive, recruit, and traffic Nigerians for various forms of exploitation.

“I was amazed that a father, who is a retired law enforcement officer of senior cadre, deceived his daughter and packaged her to be trafficked to Iraq for exploitation.

“This is incredibly unbelievable. All of them will be thoroughly investigated, and they will face the law.”

The NAPTIP boss commended the support of sister agencies at the airport, including the Director-General of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Manager, among others.

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Crime

Soldiers foil terrorists attack in Taraba, kill two suspects

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Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/ Sector 3, Operation Whirl Stroke, have successfully foiled a terrorist attack and neutralised two suspected terrorists in Taraba.

This is contained in a statement released on Wednesday by Lt. Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Jalingo.

“Acting on credible intelligence, troops on  October 1, 2025, advanced to Tor-Ikyeghgba village where bandits were reported to be converging.

“On arrival at the general area, the troops made contact with the terrorists along the powerline axis and immediately engaged them with superior firepower, resulting in the neutralisation of two.

“During the operation, the following items were recovered; one locally fabricated pistol, two dane guns, three rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, one Baofeng radio, one motorcycle and other items,” it stated.

He quoted Brig. Gen. Kingsley Uwa, Commander of the brigade, commended the troops for their swift response, resilience, and professionalism.

Muhammad also quoted the Commander, as urging the troops to maintain the momentum,  assuring residents of the state that the brigade remained fully committed to ensuring their safety.

He therefore, called on members of the public to continue to support the ongoing operation ‘Lafiya na kowa’  by providing timely and credible information that would aid in the fight against criminality.

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