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NDLEA officers undergo diving training to curb cocaine shipments in Nigeria

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The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa has said recent training of the agency’s Marine Command officers in diving would discourage large shipments of cocaine to Nigeria.

Marwa stated this while receiving a report of the training from the Agency’s Director of Seaports Operations, Deputy Commander General of Narcotics (DCGN), Omolade Faboyede.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday in Abuja. He said the new capability would send a strong message to international drug cartels that they have no place to hide their illicit consignments on any ship or vessel coming to Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the officers have gone through basic diving, advanced open-water diving and full-face mask diving. NAN also reports that eight officers were selected from four countries including two from Nigeria by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, (UNODC).

They have undergone the certification training in Bombinhas City, Brazil in two phases; first in November 2023 and then in July 2024. According to the UNODC, the diving training was initiated to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking and transnational crime activities for the four countries: Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria and Senegal.

The second phase of the training was to qualify professionals certified in basic and advanced diving in public safety diving to conduct ship hull searches, enforce the law and ensure public safety in combating transnational drug trafficking.

Marwa commended the two NDLEA officers, who participated in the training and certification programme for their exemplary performance.

He said, “Their new ability to dive into the sea to search ship hulls will no doubt discourage global drug networks from attempting to send any large consignment to Nigeria.

“This is so, knowing full well that our men now have the capacity to search every nook and cranny of ships and vessels coming to Nigeria,” he said.

The NDLEA boss said the agency would continue to be steps ahead of drug cartels in skills and capability to ensure that they have no means to smuggle illicit drugs into Nigeria.

“We will also continue to expose our officers, men and women to training and the use of modern technological tools.

“This is in our determined bid to keep our country safe by curbing the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking,” he added.

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Lagos, Abia, Akwa Ibom get new police commissioners

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The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of four substantive commissioners of police for Lagos, Abia, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom commands.

In a statement on Friday, Ikechukwu Ani, PSC spokesperson, said the appointment is due to the vacancies created by promotion of some senior officers.

The new commissioners of police are
Isah Danladi Nda, for Abia command; Olarewaju Ishola Olawale for Lagos command; Anthonia Adaku Uche Anya fror Ebonyi command and Miller Gajere Dantawaye for Akwa Ibom command

Speaking on the posting, Hashimu Argungu, PSC chair, urged the new police commissioners to make positive impacts in the security management of their respective states.

Argungu asked the new commissioners to build efficient and effective police commands in their states.

The PSC spokesperson disclosed that the approval has been sent to Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police, for implementation.

By this development, Dantawaye will replace Waheed Ayilara, the former commissioner of police in Akwa Ibom state, who died on August 29, 2024.

Ayilara reportedly died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) from prostate cancer complications.

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FG declares September 16 public holiday for Eid-ul-Maulud celebration

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The federal government has declared September 16 as a public holiday to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Maulud celebration.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, announced the holiday on Friday in a statement by Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary of the ministry.

The Eid-ul-Maulud celebration is in commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Tunji-Ojo congratulated all Muslims in the country and in the diaspora for witnessing this year’s occasion.

The minister, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion, urged them to seize the opportunity to pray for lasting peace and a more equitable and prosperous nation.

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FG offers free CNG conversion for vehicles at six Lagos locations

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The Federal Government, through its Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), is offering Lagos residents the chance to convert their vehicles to CNG for free on Friday, September 13, from 3pm to 6pm, at six designated locations as part of Operation First Come, First Serve.

The first 50 vehicles that pass inspection at each of the six locations will be fitted with free CNG conversion kits, allowing owners to refuel at N230 per SCM of CNG at any NIPCO station, leading to significant savings compared to petrol.

The announcement was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, inviting Lagos residents to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

This initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to promote cleaner energy, alleviate the financial strain caused by rising fuel prices, and support the transition to more eco-friendly transportation nationwide.

With CNG priced significantly lower than petrol, the conversion offers immediate financial relief for vehicle owners seeking a more affordable and sustainable fuel alternative amidst ongoing fuel price fluctuations.

Selected vehicle CNG conversion centres in Lagos  

Below is a list of authorized vehicle CNG conversion centres in Lagos, along with their respective addresses:

  • Femadec

Km 42, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Majek Second Gate Stop, Abiju Ibeju, Lekki, Lagos.

  • Portland

No. 1, Ojota Interchange Terminal, Bayo Shodipo, Ojota, Lagos.

  • Mezovest

KM 23, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ajah, opposite Kilimanjaro, beside Libmat Motors, by Abraham Adesanya Bus Stop.

  • Dana Motors

Dana Motors Ltd Kia Plaza, 117 Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Isolo, Lagos.

  • MBH Power

Km 5, Ikotun Road, Itamope, Ikorodu, Lagos.

  • Autogig

Plot 144b Gbagada Expressway, Gbagada, Lagos.

In addition to the CNG conversion exercise scheduled for Lagos on Friday, the PCNGI’s “Operation First Come, First Serve” initiative will also conduct conversion exercises in four other cities between Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, September 13, CNG conversions will take place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and Ibadan, Oyo State, from 3 PM to 6 PM.

The following day, Saturday, September 14, similar exercises will be held in Abuja and Kaduna between 3 PM and 6 PM.

It is important to note that the first 50 cars inspected at the designated CNG conversion centres in these cities will be eligible to receive free CNG kits, provided they pass the conversion process.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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