By Ibironke Ariyo

The United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) has commended the operational successes of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Director of INL in Nigeria, Ms Candace Spradley, gave the commendation when she led her colleague, Ms Ada Aki on a courtesy visit to NDLEA headquarters on Monday in Abuja.

Spradley also assured the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa of more support as well as further collaboration in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

She said their visit was to reinforce the commitment of the US government to the fight against narcotics especially opioids, and also to deepen the current collaboration between NDLEA and INL.

“Our visit is to underscore the importance of our collaboration and to assure you that we’re ready to support your work.

“If there is any area of assistance you will like, we’ll be ready to assist you,” she said.

Responding, Marwa emphasised the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The NDLEA boss equally noted the US President, Donald Trump’s keen interest in fighting the drug scourge.

He also commended the INL for its support to NDLEA, which has among others, positioned the agency as number one anti-narcotics body in Africa.

Marwa, however, said more assistance would still be needed from the US and other international partners to sustain the current operational successes of the agency.

He listed areas of need for INL consideration to include: operation vehicles, forensic laboratory equipment, and training for forensic analysts.

“Others are training capability in cyberspace and crypto investigation as well as drug testing kits for field operations, among others,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Civil Military Affairs (Army), Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi, has called for stronger partnership between the media and the military to enlighten the public on the activities of the Nigerian Army.

Chibuisi made the call at the Roundtable with members of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), in Abuja.

He said the forum was one of the many platforms that the army intended to leverage to keep the army and media engaged as partners in the work of interacting with members of the public.

“The role you play in covering our programmes is crucial, and it is important that you understand us to be able to reflect our activities well.

“Also, through your work, we are able to get feedback on the impact of our programmes, our activities, and our operations.

“So, it is a symbiotic relationship, and I want to once again appreciate you for all that you have been doing in supporting the Nigerian Army, and I look forward to more meaningful engagements and even better relationships going forward,” he said.

Chibuisi said the effort to ensure harmonious relationship between the military and the civil populace was a work in progress.

He said there was need for people to understand that the Nigerian Army was their own army and not their enemy, adding that the media had important role to play towards achieving that.

According to him, every Nigerian should realize and understand that every military personnel comes from a family and a community in the country.

The President of DECAN, Ismail Musa, reaffirmed the journalists’ commitment to strengthening the vital bond between the military and the media.

Musa said the partnership was essential to defeating terrorism, combating crime, and securing the peace and stability of the nation.

He pledged sustained collaboration with the armed forces, and all relevant security institutions.

“Through accurate, investigative, and balanced reporting, we aim to enhance public understanding, promote national security, and showcase the sacrifices made daily by our gallant troops.

“We are acutely aware of the sensitivity and complexity of national security reporting.

“That is why we prioritise continuous engagement with the Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces, and the Office of the National Security Adviser,” he said.

In his brief on the activities of the Department of Civil Military Affairs (DCMA), the Assistant Director of Administrative, Lt.-Col. Muhammed Sani, said the army has been able to enhance civil military relations with local communities.

Sani said that the army had executed several quick impact and special intervention projects across the country through the department.

He said the department was established in 2010 as an interface between the Nigerian Army and the civil populace. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Nigeria has been chosen to host the Third Edition of the Forum of African Defence and War Colleges’ Commandants (FADWCC) 2026.

Navy Capt. Muhammed Tukur, Public Relations Officer of the National Defence College (NDC), said the hosting right was announced by the Director of the Royal College of Higher Military Studies (CREMS), Morocco, Col.-Maj. Lahcen El-Hajjami, at the recently concluded 2nd edition of the forum.

He said the announcement was sequel to a unanimous vote by member-countries in attendance.

According to him, the hosting right makes Nigeria to become the second host and first Anglophone country to play host to the forum.

“The FADWCC was conceptualised in 2024 to forge partnerships among the defence and war colleges.

“It also aimed at proffering solutions to common problems facing African nations in addition to enhancing collaborations in higher professional military education.

“The leader of Nigeria’s delegation and Commandant of NDC Nigeria, Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Morakinyo Olotu, had accepted the hosting right on behalf of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and received the symbolic hosting flag from his Moroccan counterpart,” he said.

Tukur said the 2025 FADWCC with the theme, “Artificial Intelligence and Defence”, was attended by commandants of defence and war colleges from 14 African nations.

The countries that attended the 2025 edition were Angola, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia.

Others are Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Zambia.

“The attendance witnessed a remarkable increase from 8 countries in the maiden edition in 2024.

“It is expected that the Third Edition in Abuja in 2026 would witness attendance by more commandants of defence and war colleges across Africa.

“The Nigerian delegation also had the commandants of the Army, Navy and Air Force War Colleges, their spouses and some academic staff members from the four colleges,” he added.

In his remarks, Olotu expressed Nigeria’s readiness to host a befitting forum in Abuja come 2026.

He thanked his colleagues for the confidence reposed in Nigeria to host the next edition of the forum with a promise to surpass the high standard set by Morocco. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

By Usman Aliyu

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Kayode Egbetokun, has launched the Nigeria Police Force School Protection Squad for Edo in Benin.

Egbetokun, who launched the squad during a stakeholders’ forum, said the initiative was part of efforts to ensure security and conducive learning environment for teachers and students.

Represented by Salman Garba-Dogo, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of Zone 5, Benin, the police boss described the school protection squad as a milestone in the force’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding educational institutions in the country.

The theme of this forum is: “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities in the Protection of Education”.

According to him, the squad will serve as a rapid response and preventive unit specifically trained to work with school communities, assess threats, respond to emergencies, and build trust between students and law enforcement agencies.

“Their role goes beyond protection, they will engage students, provide educational support on safety awareness and foster a culture of vigilance and partnership.

“Our goal is not just physical security but emotional reassurance for students, teachers and parents alike,” he said.

The initiative, the I-G said, was developed in close collaboration with the ministry of education, government and the parents-teachers’ association.

“This is a reflection of our belief that school safety is a shared responsibility that requires unity, vigilance and compassion.

“Every child has the right to learn in an environment that is free from fear. We will not waver in our duty to protect that right,” he said.

The police chief encouraged students/pupils, educators, and families to partner with the police, share concerns, report suspicious activities, and engage school officers.

He added that, “together, we can make our schools safer, stronger and more resilient.”

Also speaking, Gov. Monday Okpebholo, said his administration was aligning with the Federal Government’s school protection’s vision and coming together to implement effective strategies that will protect children and educators.

According to him, the initiative will ensure that every child in the state can learn, grow and thrive in a secure and nurturing environment.

The governor noted that education was not just a pillar of development, but the foundation upon which we build our future.

“So, as we seek to strengthen our educational system, we must first confront the escalating challenges threatening the safety of our children and their learning environments which includes schools.

“These challenges are not unique to Edo State, they are national in scope and therefore, demand a coordinated and inclusive response as provided by this forum,” Okpebholo said.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy Dennis Idahosa, said to enhance security across its educational institutions, his administration has embarked on construction of perimeter fencing of schools to provide physical protection.

He said his government had also deployed the state’s security corps to the grassroots to tackle security threats in schools, providing mandatory guidance and counselling offices across schools with constant checks on students, among others.

On his part, the Commissioner of Police, Dr Abayomi Shogunle, who is the National Coordinator of School Protection Squad, described the initiative as a combative community peace strategy designed to protect schools, empower students and build trust between law enforcement, educators and family.

Shogunle disclosed that over 65 police officers from Edo State Police Command had been trained to respond, go on sensitisation regarding school safety initiative across the three senatorial districts of the state.

“What the IGP is trying to do is to get everybody involved, because it is safer and cheaper to prevent crime from happening rather than being reactionary, to the security situation around schools,” he said.

The senior police officer said the force had a dedicated call centre to receive calls from students, parents, teachers and people in the SOS community, ensuring to attend to their calls no matter the time of the day all over the country.

He said the security and safety of schools and other learning environment attracted the Federal Government’s attention, as the nation had faced security challenges such as kidnappings, homicide related cases, and destruction of school infrastructure, sometimes leading to school closure and negatively affecting the host communities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, has assured the people of Borno of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the prevailing security challenges across the country.

Badaru gave the assurance on Friday when he led the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, on operational visit to troops in the North East.

The minister said the purpose of the visit was to assess the security situations in the state and to also rub minds with the Governor on the way forward.

At the Headquarters Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai, the ministers and CDS received briefing from the outgoing Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on the operational activities, achievements, and challenges of the theatre command.

Badaru conveyed the appreciation of President Tinubu to troops and assured them of the administration’s desire to ensure all their operational needs were provided.

On his part, the CDS, Gen. Musa thanked officers and men of the Theatre while charging them to do more in addressing the lingering security challenges confronting the North East.

At the Borno Government House, Gov. Babagana Zulum thanked the ministers and the CDS for the visit.

Zulum assured them of the state’s continuous support to the Federal Government and the Armed Forces of Nigeria in particular to address the prevailing security challenges in the state.

He pleaded for more support to OPHK in terms of additional manpower and platforms, as well as the need to clear Lake Chad axis for it to be utilised. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba