General
Rescued women commend military for renewed onslaught on Boko Haram
The six women rescued in the ongoing military operations in North East have commended the military for the renewed onslaught in Sambisa and fringes of Lake Chad that led to their rescue.
The women who spoke newsmen on arrival at the headquarters of Joint Task Force North East of “Operation Hadin Kai” in Maiduguri on Wednesday, said the operations gave them the opportunity to escape.
Ms Suzan Lazarus, abducted in April 2021 in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa when the insurgents invaded their village of Kupre, said about 50 people were abducted that day.
The 28-year-old applicant said her adductors took them to an area known as Timbuktu Triangle before taking them to the shores of Lake Chad.
In her words, “I give glory to God and say thank you to the military for our rescue but I am still worried about the faith of others.”
Also speaking, Miss Jummai Inuwa, who was abducted on the Maiduguri- Damaturu road on Oct. 10, 2020, said she was taken to the shores of Lake Chad where she was subjected to work as a slave.
“Some of us tried to escape but the place is like an island surrounded by water. It was difficult to escape because it was very muddy.
“We seized the opportunity to escape when the military bombed the area,” Inuwa said.
Another woman, Ms Marta Malu, 25, said she was kidnapped on the Damboa – Askira road in December 2021 alongside six government construction workers and a policeman.
“We were eight. They took us to Sambisa and after one week they killed the policeman”, Malu said.
Other rescued women who lauded the effort of the military include Grace Daniel, 38 who was kidnapped on the Maiduguri – Damaturu Road on Dec. 18, 2020; Maria Adamu, 27, who was kidnapped in Madagali area of Adamawa on Dec. 6, 2020, and Malakaiya Dambade, 37 who was kidnapped on the Maiduguri – Damaturu road.
Speaking on the development, the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.- Gen. Christopher Musa said the renewed onslaught under the ongoing “Operation Lake Chad Sanity” being conducted by Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and “Operation Desert Sanity” being conducted by the Theatre Commander has been yielding results.
He also commended the public for providing useful information to the military and other security agencies involved in the fight against insurgency.
(NAN)
Education
FG harps on skills acquisition, education for women in detention
The Federal Government, on Tuesday, emphasised the critical role of skills acquisition and education in the rehabilitation of women in detention.
Minister of State for Education, Dr Suwaiba Ahmad, stated this at “the Women in Detention Workshop”, organised by Prison Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised to mark PRAWA’s 30th anniversary.
Ahmad, who stressed the need for addressing the needs and rehabilitation of women in detention, said that such women must be equipped with adequate skills for self-reliance.
“This gathering reflects our shared resolve to ensure that even within the four walls of correctional facilities, women are afforded the dignity, support and opportunities necessary to rebuild their lives.
“Education, both formal and informal, is central to the transformative power of rehabilitation. It is not merely a tool for personal development but a lifeline that can open doors for reintegration and independence.
“For women in detention, education is a pathway to self-discovery, self-reliance and the restoration of hope. Beyond education, skills acquisition is a critical component of rehabilitation.
“Many women in detention face economic hardship and social exclusion which often perpetuate cycles of criminality,” she said.
Ahmad said that by equipping them with skills relevant to their communities and marketable in today’s economy, such women would be empowered to return to society as productive and self-reliant individuals.
Ahmad further said: “Rehabilitation and reintegration are not acts of charity; they are investments in humanity.
“By prioritising the education, skill acquisition and special needs of women in detention, we create a society that values second chance and upholds the dignity of every individual,’’ the minister said.
Earlier, the Executive Director of PRAWA, Dr Uju Agomoh, said the organisation, a CSO, was established in 1994 to promote security, justice and development in Africa.
She also said that the event was designed to tackle the broader issues of prison conditions as well as human rights violations and rehabilitation.
“One key initiative is training health workers and legal professionals on how to document and address torture cases, focusing on the internationally-recognised `Istanbul Protocol’.
“In addition, PRAWA is working closely with Nigerian universities, including University of Lagos, University of Abuja and several others.
“This is to introduce paralegal training programmes that will empower students to assist in legal and human rights efforts within the criminal justice system,” Agomoh said.
Africa
Customs hands over illicit drugs worth N117.59m to NDLEA
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has handed over illicit drugs worth N117.59 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Comptroller of the command, Mr James Ojo, disclosed this during the handing over of the drugs to Mr Olusegun Adeyeye, the Commander of NDLEA, Idiroko Special Area Command, in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Friday.
Ojo said the customs handed over the seized cannabis and tramadol tablets to the Idiroko Special Command for further investigation in line with the standard operating procedures and inter-agency collaboration.
He said the illicit drugs were seized in various strategic locations between January and November 21, 2024, in Ogun State.
He added that the illicit drugs were abandoned at various locations, including the Abeokuta axis, the Agbawo/Igankoto area of Yewa North Local Government Area, and Imeko Afton axis.
Ojo said that the seizure of the cannabis sativa and tramaling tablets, another brand of tramadol, was made possible through credible intelligence and strategic operations of the customs personnel.
“The successful interception of these dangerous substances would not have been possible without the robust collaboration and support from our intelligence units, local informants and sister agencies.
“These landmark operations are testament to the unwavering dedication of the NCS to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
He said the seizures comprised 403 sacks and 6,504 parcels, weighing 7,217.7 kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each, with a total Duty Paid Value of N117,587,405,00.
He described the height of illicit drugs smuggling in the recent time as worrisome.
This, he said, underscores the severity of drug trafficking within the borders.
“Between Oct. 13 and Nov. 12 alone, operatives intercepted a total of 1,373 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,337kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each,” he said.
Ojo said the seizures had disrupted the supply chain of illicit drugs, thereby mitigating the risks those substances posed to the youth, families and communities.
He lauded the synergy between its command, security agencies and other stakeholders that led to the remarkable achievements.
Ojo also commended the Comptroller General of NCS for creating an enabling environment for the command to achieve the success.
Responding, Adeyeye, applauded the customs for achieving the feat.
Adeyeye pledged to continue to collaborate with the customs to fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking in the state.
Economy
Customs intercepts N30m worth of PMS in Operation Whirlwind
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Friday said that it had intercepted 849 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), worth over N30 million in retail price from Operation Whirlwind.
The Comptroller of Customs, Hussein Ejibunu, made this known during a news conference in Ikeja.
“Today, we have another seizure of 849 kegs of PMS containing 25 litres each. This translates to 30,225 litres with duty paid value at N30.225 million only at the NNPCL retail price.
“Today marks yet another success recorded by the operatives of Operation Whirlwind, Zone “A” Lagos/Ogun Axis.
“About five weeks ago, same PMS products were displayed before you here on the parade ground of the college where several seizures were made,” Ejibunu said.
“On this note, we wish to thank the National Security Adviser and the Comptroller-General of Customs for their unwavering support,” Ejibunu said.
The coordinator of the Operation Whirlwind said that two vehicles of means of conveyance were intercepted along with the seizures.
Ejibunu said that they evacuated 80 Jerry Cans each from a vehicle.
He assured the public that Operation Whirlwind remains steadfast in its efforts to clamp down on PMS smugglers, ensuring no room for their illegal activities nationwide.
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