🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
US government funds modern interrogation rooms for Nigeria's NDLEA
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The United States government, through its Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, has funded modern audiovisual interrogation rooms for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA in Nigeria. These facilities were handed over in Abuja by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC, which implemented the project. UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria, Cheikh Toure, stated that Nigeria is no longer a permissive environment for international drug cartels due to the NDLEA's intensified enforcement efforts. Toure highlighted that transnational drug trafficking fuels corruption, funds violence, and destroys communities, and commended the NDLEA's leadership under Brig Gen Buba Marwa retd for reversing the trend of Nigeria being a target and transit hub for global criminal networks. Toure described the US funding as an investment in transparency and the rule of law. Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa Rtd, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, thanked the US-INL and UNODC, noting that the facilities upgrade the integrity of the agency's investigative process and align with its digital transformation. Marwa emphasized that the equipment enhances investigative capacity, improves professionalism in handling suspects, and reinforces the NDLEA's commitment to transparency, extant laws, and global best practices in criminal justice.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Kazeem Olaniyan, a Professor of Jurisprudential Criminology at Fountain University, Osogbo, has advocated for the public declaration of assets by governors, legislators, and judges. Speaking at the university's 8th inaugural lecture, Professor Olaniyan, who is also the Dean of the College of Law, proposed amendments to the Code of Conduct Bureau CCB law. He suggested linking the CCB database with the Land Registry, Bank Verification Number, and Corporate Affairs Commission databases to enable real-time verification of assets. He described the CCB as an under-resourced institution, noting that many asset declarations are still processed manually, hindering cross-referencing. Professor Olaniyan also highlighted selective prosecutions by the Bureau, citing the cases of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Chief Justice of the Federation Walter Onnoghen, arguing that asset declaration laws have been used against political adversaries rather than as a uniform administrative mechanism. He asserted that secret asset declarations foster concealed corruption and called for mandatory public disclosure. He specifically recommended amending the CCB Act to make public declaration the default and granting civil society organizations and the media a statutory right to inspect and publish asset declarations of high-ranking public officials. These recommendations come as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, was invited by the CCB following a Premium Times
Jigawa State has vaccinated over 2.6 million children under five against polio in its recent immunization campaign, achieving 116% coverage. Shehu Ibrahim, State Health Information Officer of the Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, shared this during a media and stakeholders’ engagement in Dutse. The campaign reached children across all 27 local government areas, with 5,551 cases of non-compliance recorded, of which over 4,000 were resolved. However, six local government areas—Auyo, Babura, Birnin Kudu, Malam-Madori, Ringim, and Gwiwa—showed weak social mobilization. Muhammad Abdullah, Director of Public Health, commended health workers and partners, stressing the importance of reaching every child to maintain a polio-free status for Jigawa and Nigeria. He urged the media to counter misinformation contributing to vaccine hesitancy. Ashiru Ma’azu, Deputy State Immunisation Officer, highlighted the engagement's goal to strengthen collaboration with journalists for improved coverage and community sensitization. Sani Yusuf, Health Education Officer, emphasized the media's role in promoting immunization by informing parents that vaccines are safe and free. Participants agreed that sustained media engagement is crucial for addressing non-compliance and ensuring comprehensive coverage in future campaigns.
Seven people were killed and several others injured in an attack by suspected armed herders in the Channel One community, a border settlement in the Ukemberagya/Tswarev Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area, Benue State. The incident occurred on Sunday night, according to Amos, a resident, and Joseph Anawah, a community leader. The victims were identified as Akor Gwakyaa, Msooter Gwakyaa, Aondoungwa Michael, Vershima Michael, Terna Michael, and Msughter Terzungwe, with one additional fatality reported by the Chairman of Logo LG, Clement Kav. The attackers, described as Fulani, were reportedly armed with firearms and rode motorcycles. They are believed to have come from Shaor, a deserted village identified as a marauders' camp. Residents have fled the affected and neighboring communities. Community leaders have appealed to state and federal governments to intensify border clearance operations and establish joint inter-state security task forces to monitor cross-border movements and block routes used by attackers. The Chairman of Logo LG confirmed the attack, stating seven were killed and four injured, and he has briefed the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, and the Special Adviser on Homeland Security. The State Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, had not yet received the report. This incident follows other recent killings in Benue State, including an attack in Olegabulu community where a traditional ruler, his wife, son, and two others were killed, and another i
Must ReadThe White House attributed a shooting at a gala correspondents' dinner in Washington, attended by President Donald Trump, to a "left-wing cult of hatred." Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the incident was the third assassination attempt targeting President Trump in the past two years. Leavitt, who was present at the dinner, claimed there has been "systemic demonization" of the president, asserting that "nobody in recent years has faced more bullets and more violence than President Trump." She added that those who label President Trump as a fascist or compare him to Hitler are fueling such violence. President Trump had adopted a more conciliatory tone towards the media after the attack, despite previously calling them the "enemy of the people."