Buba Marwa, chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says officers of the agency arrested some politicians in possession of illicit drugs.
Marwa said this on Sunday when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Hard Copy’.
The chairman said he was “somewhat disappointed” that the drive to have public officers undergo drug-tests before they assume office did not go through.
“But the idea is not original. We are promoting what is going on already in Kano state. In kano state, all politicians under the governor’s party, aspiring for an office, must first demonstrate in the screening process that they are drug negative and I’m in full support of that,” he said.
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“We have arrested politicians who either are holding political office or have retired. Recently one of them was jailed in Lagos, he was trying to smuggle 1kg, maybe to use it to run for office.
“As you know, the cartels also participate in political institutions, they actually fund candidates into the various levels so that the correct laws (that favour them) are enacted.”
Speaking on the rehabilitation of drug users, the NDLEA chief said there is a dearth of rehab centres “and there are thousands if not millions of drug users who need help but there’s no where to go. And so they snuck back into their bedrooms and continue to take drugs”.
“Right now we have just 11 model rehab centres in the country which is very low. The Presidential Advisory Committee on Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA) recommended that there should be about three centres per state looking at the prevalence and the federal government already through the ministry of health, has agreed to build one more rehab centre in every state,” he said.
THE CABLE
Bandits Abduct Seven Family Members, Three Neighbors in Kaduna
Suspected bandits have abducted ten people, including seven members of a single family, in a violent raid on Unguwar Sabon‑Titi, along Katari‑Hayin Dam in Kaduna State’s Kachia Local Government Area.
The attack occurred around 9:32 p.m. on Thursday, according to a local resident, Mr. Markus Yakubu, who described how the gunmen, armed with sophisticated weapons, quietly surrounded a family compound before whisking away the victims. The bandits then moved to a neighboring house and abducted three more residents.
Yakubu identified the abducted as Jummai Amos, Barnabas Amos, Iko Amos, Baby Amos, Eunice Amos, Eshiwan Amos, Godwin Amos, Bagudu Damisa, Evelyn Damisa, and Alfred Iriyo. He explained that the assailants refrained from firing inside the town, possibly because the attacked houses were close to the District Police Officer’s residence in Katari, only beginning to shoot after moving the victims away from the area.
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A community leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed receiving distress calls about the raid but said security operatives’ contacts were unreachable, leaving locals to await intervention. Neighbors reportedly visited the homes of the abducted on Friday morning to offer support to the families.
A security source also confirmed that police and military personnel are combing forests and surrounding areas in search of the kidnappers and to rescue the victims alive. Efforts to reach the Kaduna State Police Command spokesman, DSP Hassan Mansur, for comment were unsuccessful.
The incident highlights the persistent insecurity in Kaduna State, where rural communities have frequently been targeted by armed bandits. Residents continue to demand urgent government action, improved security patrols, and rapid response teams to prevent further abductions and ensure the safe return of victims.
Fani‑Kayode Fires Back at Peter Obi, Defends NADECO’s Legacy
Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani‑Kayode has sharply criticised Peter Obi over remarks perceived to diminish the role of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in Nigeria’s democratic history, thrusting the debate over the nation’s pro‑democracy legacy back into the spotlight.
In a lengthy post shared widely on social media, Fani‑Kayode labelled Obi’s alleged comments about NADECO as “a crying shame” and warned that they “shall not go unanswered.” He accused Obi of attempting to denigrate the sacrifices of NADECO leaders and activists who opposed military rule in the 1990s.
“Peter Obi’s attack on NADECO and his attempt to denigrate the leaders of that movement and its members — who single‑handedly fought military rule and made the ultimate sacrifice for democracy in our country — is a crying shame,” Fani‑Kayode wrote.
He recalled how Obi, in his early political life, had been associated with the administration of General Sani Abacha, one of Nigeria’s most oppressive military rulers. Fani‑Kayode contrasted this with the actions of NADECO figures and footsoldiers who resisted military oppression, endured persecution and brutality, and were driven into exile for their activism.
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Fani‑Kayode stressed the heavy cost paid by NADECO members during the struggle. “Many of us were in NADECO and are living witnesses to what happened. We spoke out, wrote articles, suffered persecution, were locked up, were tortured, were killed and were forced into exile,” he said. He argued that the sacrifices made between 1992 and 1999 should never be dismissed or belittled.
The former minister also took aim at politicians linked with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including ex‑Senate President David Mark. Fani‑Kayode alleged that Mark had previously spoken against Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election whose annulment by the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida plunged the country into prolonged unrest.
He reiterated that NADECO activists faced brutal repression, including imprisonment, torture, and exile under successive military rulers, and warned that Nigeria’s current democratic freedoms and free speech are the results of those struggles.
“He (Obi) should enjoy the democracy and free speech that we have today which others fought and died for between 1992 and 1999,” Fani‑Kayode said, urging Obi and others to refrain from comments that appear to undermine the legacy of pro‑democracy figures.
Obi’s comments, though not publicly expanded in recent days, sparked discussions across political and historical circles, with analysts noting that the debate over Nigeria’s democratic heritage and the sacrifices of groups like NADECO remains politically sensitive, particularly as the country continues to grapple with governance, electoral reforms, and national identity.
Political commentators also highlighted how the exchange reflects broader tensions within Nigeria’s opposition and among public figures vying to define the narrative of the nation’s democratic journey.
As of now, Obi’s camp has not formally responded to Fani‑Kayode’s rebuttal, but the debate has garnered attention on social media and in political commentary platforms, underscoring the enduring significance of NADECO’s legacy in contemporary political discourse.
Plateau Killings: Ezekwesili Blasts Tinubu, APC Over ‘Failure to Act’
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the ongoing killings in Plateau State, accusing the government of inaction and failure to protect citizens.
In a sharply worded statement posted on her X account, Ezekwesili questioned the priorities of political leaders who continue with engagements while communities are under attack. She condemned what she described as a pattern where authorities respond to violence with statements, silence, and committee formations instead of decisive security action.
Reacting to disturbing images from recent attacks in Jos, she said the blood of innocent Nigerians rests on leaders who “knew, looked away, and chose a convention hall over a command centre,” warning that such conduct reflects a deeper governance failure.
The former minister also raised concerns about the normalisation of violence in Nigeria, stressing that citizens must reject any situation where human lives are treated as expendable. She urged Nigerians to transform grief into collective action, demanding accountability, justice, and urgent reforms to address insecurity.
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Her comments come amid renewed violence in Plateau State, particularly in Jos North and nearby communities, where recent attacks have reportedly left dozens dead and many injured. The persistent crisis has once again drawn attention to the fragile security situation in Nigeria’s north-central region.
Despite increased military presence and government assurances, Plateau has continued to experience recurring attacks linked to communal tensions, armed groups, and farmer-herder conflicts. Analysts say the repeated outbreaks highlight the limitations of current security strategies.
President Tinubu had earlier condemned the attacks and directed security agencies to bring perpetrators to justice, while promising that such incidents would not recur. Additional security deployments and restrictions have also been introduced in affected areas.
However, critics argue that these responses remain largely reactive, with little progress in addressing the underlying causes of the violence. Ezekwesili’s remarks add to growing public pressure on the federal government to adopt a more proactive and coordinated approach to national security.
As outrage continues to build, many Nigerians are calling for stronger leadership, improved intelligence gathering, and decisive action to end the cycle of killings and restore confidence in government.
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