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.
***CP restates commitment to safety of lives, property in Kogi
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
The Nigeria Police, Kogi State Command has confirmed the killing of two suspected kidnappers during a gun duel in Ankumi forest, near Obajana in Lokoja Local Government Area of the state.
A statement from SP William Ovye Aya, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) on Tuesday in Lokoja said that the two suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded in an exchange of fire with the Police and died as they were being taken to the hospital.
Aya said the operation which was in continuation of the ongoing onslaught against banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crime in Kogi State also led to the recovery of one AK 47 Rifle with two magazines and two live Ammunition.
He explained that the operation was consequent upon a tip off received on Monday, May 27 at about 11:30hrs, that some armed hoodlums numbering about three were sighted inside Ankumi forest.
“Immediately the Divisional Police Officer of Obajana Division, CSP Oguche Richard, mobilized his patrol team in collaboration with the Fulani Vigilantes and moved to the area at about 14:30hrs”, he said.
According to the PPRO, on sighting the team, the hoodlums opened fire on them, attracting corresponding response from the team resulting in a gun duel that lasted a while.
Aya said, “Due to the superior firepower of the Police team, two of the hoodlums were fatally wounded while the other escaped with bullet wounds.
“Items recovered from the scene include, one AK 47 rifle with two magazines and two rounds of live Ammunition. Effort is on going to trail and apprehend the fleeing suspect.”
The Command’s Spokesman further told newsmen that the suspects were confirmed dead in a hospital at Obajana and their bodies were brought to the command headquarters in Lokoja.
He said that the bodies were deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital morgue in Lokoja.
Aya further said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Bethrand C. Onuoha, commended the officers for their unwavering commitment and dedication in sustaining the tempo in the ongoing onslaught against crime and criminality.
The Commissioner, he said, also assured Kogi people that the Police “is ever determined to sustain the tempo, in synergy with other Security Agencies, in ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state.” (Ends)
An unspecified number of workers of Dangote Cement Company Plc, Okpella, Etsako West local government of Edo state have been abducted after unknown gunmen Wayland the staff bus
The unfortunate incident was said to have happened on Monday.
The workers were in a staff bus conveying them back to Okpella town after the close of work when they were intercepted and abducted by the gunmen.
An eyewitness confirmed to this online newspaper that the incident happened after the gunmen laid ambush for the workers after emerging from the bush and forcing the bus to a halt at gunpoint before taking their victims into the bush.
“They were in a Coaster bus coming to Okpella after work when they were kidnapped by gunmen. But, we don’t know the numbers of the workers that have been kidnapped,” the source added.
The alleged rape of a female student of the Ajayi Crowther University by two security guards is not being treated with kids gloves as the authorities of the institution have commenced investigations
This was contained in a statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Olufemi John Atoyebi.
Atoyebi said, “Management of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo received with shock a report of an alleged rape of one of our female students last night, Thursday May 9, 2024 by two members of our vigilance group.
“The Management promptly handed over to the police, the two people alleged to have committed the crime while the university has set up its own internal panel of inquiry to investigate the allegation.
“The Management wishes to assure all stakeholders that ACU will not tolerate any act of misconduct capable of tarnishing its enviable image.
“Raising Godly intellectuals is our primary goal in ACU and we will not allow any act of misconduct capable of diverting our attention from our goal.
“Heavy penalty awaits anyone who is found culpable after our thorough investigation.
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