DEFENCE
Nigeria, India Agree to Share Intelligence on Drug Trafficking Syndicates

Nigeria and India have agreed to exchange vital intelligence on the activities of drug trafficking syndicates operating vulnerable drug routes between both countries.
Mr Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said the shared intelligence would also strengthen the capacity of NDLEA officers with training.
Babafemi said that this was part of recommendations and agreements reached at the end of a two-day bilateral meeting held in New Delhi, India.
He said the meeting was between an NDLEA delegation led by its Chairman, retired Brig.- Gen. Buba Marwa and its India counterpart, Narcotics Control Bureau, (NCB), led by its Director General, Mr Satya Pradhan.
He said the meeting also recommended exchange of best practices in drug demand reduction and
sharing of real time information on the involvement of nationals of both countries.
This, he said, was in drug trafficking as well as conducting joint operations, while agreeing to hold another bilateral meeting in Nigeria in 2023.
“Another key objective of the India meeting was the collaboration between NDLEA and NCB on how to control the importation of tramadol above 100mg as well as certain categories of precursors into Nigeria, ” he said.
In his presentation at the talks, Marwa expressed gratitude to NCB and its management for the warm reception accorded his delegation.
He underscored the importance of the meeting to the global action against drug trafficking given the historical antecedents of both countries, the commonality of language, legal systems, population and the existing robust trade relations.
He reiterated the need for strengthened collaboration between the two agencies in the fight against illicit drug cultivation, production and trafficking.
He added that the increased national efforts to adopting a balanced approach to addressing both the drug supply and demands reduction, and highlighted Nigeria’s drug use and trafficking challenges.
He further underlined the importance of international cooperation and stakeholders’ engagement, adding that Nigeria had a “National Drug Control Master Plan.
This, he said, was the veritable tool to drug control and enforcement, which had facilitated effective co-ordination at Federal and state levels and was being encouraged at the local government level.
He expressed the hope that a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU), that would define the relationship between the two agencies with reference to information sharing, assets tracing and forfeiture of assets found to be connected to, and/or proceeds, of drug trafficking would be finalised soon.
In his remarks, Pradhan, NCB, head of Indian delegation highlighted the issues particularly the trafficking of Heroin and Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) in the country.
Pradhan said the drug trafficking through maritime and air route was a challenge for both countries.
He elaborated on trends showing the emergence of illicit drug trafficking through couriers, dark-net markets and social media platforms
He promised to share the information about the latest mechanism and technologies to fight the emerging threats.
Newsmen report that those on the NDLEA delegation include: Mrs. Eucharia Eze, Minister- Counsellor, High Commission of Nigeria, New Delhi; Mr. Joseph Nbona.
Also, Director Prosecution and Legal Services of the Agency; Mr. Ahmad Tijani and Mr. Hamza Umar, Commandant, NDLEA Academy. The NCB team led by its DG had nine other officers of the Bureau at the meeting.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Zulum Offers N5m Each to Families of 8 Slained CJTF Members

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has donated N5 million each to the families of eight members of Civilian Joint Task Force ( CJTF) who recently died in an explosion on the Dikwa to Marte road.
Zulum who made this known on Friday during a condolence visit to the families of deceased in Maiduguri, also granted scholarship to their children.
The Civilian CJTF is a volunteer security group that supports military operations against insurgents in Borno State and other parts of the North-East.
” I want to announce a financial assistance of N5 million to each of the bereaved families to cater for their immediate needs.
” Furthermore, the Borno Government will provide full educational scholarship to all children of the deceased CJTF members.
” For those who left no children, we shall extend assistance to their close family members,” he said.
The governor said the gesture was part of his administration’s commitment to assisting the families of security personnel and members of the CJTF who paid the supreme price of defending his people
Zulum described the deceased as martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their communities and assured that their bravery would always be remembered.
He prayed for the repose of their souls of the deceased and urged the bereaved families to take solace in the heroic legacy left behind by their loved ones.
The CJTF operatives died on Tuesday after they ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the area.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Nab 5 Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested five suspected cultists and recovered firearms at Ibesikpo Asutan area of the state.
DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Uyo.
John said the arrests took place at the cultists’ hideout in Ikot Etuk village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area on Wednesday.
She said that the operatives of the command, based on credible information, arrested the cultists.
John said that during the operation, operatives recovered one locally made pistol, one fabricated single-barrel gun and assorted charms.
According to her, the suspects have voluntarily provided useful information to the police regarding their criminal activities.
“This includes their involvement in a recent attack on Fulani herdsmen, which resulted in the killing of two cows.
“The stolen cows were reportedly shared among various cult groups within Ibesikpo Asutan,” she said.
John said that efforts were currently underway to apprehend other fleeing gang members and recover their operational weapons.
The spokesman further said the developments would be communicated to the public as they unfold. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Police Arrest 4 Suspects, Recover Stolen Property in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said it had arrested four suspected criminals in Udi Street in Uyo and recovered numerous stolen items.
DSP Timfon John, the Command’s Public Relations Officer said this in a statement in Uyo on Monday.
John said that the suspects were arrested base on credible intelligence and in compliance with the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare’s directive.
She said that an operation which was inaugurated last Friday at exactly 1:15 a.
m., led to the arrest of the four suspects.”In a significant intelligence-led operation, operatives of the command raided a location in Udi Street, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of numerous stolen items.
The raid also resulted in the arrest of another two suspected receivers of stolen property,” she explained.
The command’s image maker said that exhibit including 14 sewing machine heads and a generator were recovered from the suspects.
According to her, two complainants have come forward and identified their stolen machines among the recovered items.
She added that investigation into the matter was ongoing. (NAN)