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.

Prominent Niger Delta human rights activist and environmentalist, Ann-Kio Briggs, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to scrap the Ministry of Niger Delta, describing it as ill-advised and detrimental to the oil-rich region.

Briggs expressed her concerns during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.

“The Ministry of Niger Delta was created by the late (President Umaru) Yar’Adua. There was a reason for the creation. So, just removing it because the president was advised. I want to believe that he was advised because if he did it by himself, that would be terribly wrong,” she stated.

President Tinubu, in October, dissolved the Ministry of Niger Delta and replaced it with the Ministry of Regional Development, which is tasked with overseeing all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North-West Development Commission, and North-East Development Commission.

Briggs questioned the rationale behind the restructuring, expressing concerns about its feasibility and implications. “But that’s not going to be the solution because who is going to fund the commissions? Is it the regions because it is called the Regional Development Ministry? Is it the states in the regions? What are the regions because we don’t work with regions right now; we are working with geopolitical zones,” she remarked.

She added, “Are we going back to regionalism? If we are, we have to discuss it. The president can’t decide on his own to restructure Nigeria. If we are restructuring Nigeria, the president alone can’t restructure Nigeria, he has to take my opinion and your opinion into consideration.”

Briggs also decried the longstanding neglect of the Niger Delta despite its significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy since 1958. “The Niger Delta has been developing Nigeria since 1958. We want to use our resources to develop our region; let regions use their resources to develop themselves,” she asserted.

Reflecting on the various bodies established to address the region’s development, Briggs lamented their failure to deliver meaningful progress. She highlighted the Niger Delta Basin Authority, the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), and the NDDC as examples of ineffective interventions.

“NDDC was created by Olusegun Obasanjo…There was OMPADEC before NDDC. OMPADEC was an agency. Before OMPADEC, there was the Basin Authority…These authorities were created to help us. Were we helped by those authorities? No, we were not,” she said.

Briggs further described the NDDC as an “ATM for failed politicians, disgruntled politicians, and politicians that have had their electoral wins taken away from them and given to somebody else.”

Her remarks underscore the deep-seated frustrations in the Niger Delta, where residents continue to advocate for greater control over their resources and improved governance.

By Bukola Taiwo

Women and social justice advocates in Nigeria have, through the years, tirelessly fought for the rights and protection of women through various means such as policy advocacy, policy implementation, and community sensitization, among others. Their efforts have been instrumental in bringing about significant legislative changes aimed at safeguarding the rights of women and vulnerable groups. One of the most notable achievements of their resilience and dedication is the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in 2015. This landmark legislation was enacted after 14 years of persistent advocacy and negotiations with different legislative assemblies.

The VAPP Law is a comprehensive legal framework that addresses various forms of violence against individuals. It provides detailed definitions of different types of violence, including physical, emotional, and sexual violence, and prescribes stringent sanctions for perpetrators. The law criminalizes acts such as rape, domestic violence, and other forms of abuse, ensuring that offenders are held accountable for their actions. The VAPP Law is notable for its gender-neutral and rights-based approach, which emphasizes the protection of all individuals, regardless of gender. As a result, over 30 states in Nigeria have domesticated this law, reflecting its widespread acceptance and implementation across the country.

Despite the rise in sexual and violent crimes in Nigeria today, which underscores the urgent need for robust legal protections, the legislature’s commitment to the comprehensive implementation of the VAPP Law appears to be waning. Contrary to expectations, there has been a motion to repeal the VAPP Law, spearheaded by Senator Jubril Isah of Kogi East. This motion has already passed the second reading with alarming speed. It is worth noting that in 2022, the same Senator Jubril Isah sponsored a similar bill to repeal the VAPP Law, although it did not succeed at that time.

Senator Jibrin’s push to repeal the VAPP Law of 2015 is based on his assertion that the law is “gender-biased.” This claim has sparked significant controversy and concern among advocates for women’s rights and social justice. The senator’s stance is seen by many as a blatant disregard for the safety and protection of women and vulnerable groups. Critics argue that his efforts to repeal the law undermine the hard-won protections that have been put in place to safeguard victims of violence, particularly women. The dismissal of the law’s intent to protect victims from violence, under the guise of promoting neutrality, is perceived as an attempt to roll back critical legal safeguards that have been established through years of advocacy and struggle.

The potential repeal of the VAPP Law poses a significant threat to the progress that has been made in addressing violence against individuals in Nigeria. It is imperative for advocates, policymakers, and the general public to remain vigilant and continue to push for the full implementation and enforcement of the VAPP Law. Ensuring that this crucial legislation remains in place is essential for protecting the rights and safety of all individuals, particularly women and vulnerable groups, who are most at risk of violence and abuse.