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Kogi state government, NDLEA join forces to tackle drug abuse in schools, target females

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The Kogi Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, has promised the ministry’s readiness to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to reduce drug abuse in schools across the state.

Jones gave the assurance when the NDLEA Commander in the state, Umar Yahuza, led his management team on an advocacy visit to the commissioner’s office on Tuesday in Lokoja.

The commissioner decried the alarming rate of drug abuse among teenagers and stressed the need to do whatever it took to reduce the menace in schools at all levels in the state. The commissioner expressed the readiness of the ministry to effectively partner and collaborate with the NDLEA to senitise the school system.

According to him, the state has invested so much in education and the ministry will not allow such investment to be wasted by refusing to address the problems of drug abuse in schools.

He expressed worries over the prevalence of drug abuse, especially among female folks, saying the country was sitting on a time bomb that required all hands to be on deck to tackle the menace.

“The Kogi government does not pay lip service to education and will do everything possible to deal with whatever that will hamper growth of education in the state,” Jones said.

Earlier, the NDLEA commander thanked Gov. Ahmed Ododo for prioritising the needs of his people. He commended the governor for his promise to establish a Multi-Dimensional Drugs Rehabilitation and Skills Acquisition Centre in the state, saying it would serve as rehabilitation and reintegration of drug abuse patients into society.

Yahuza noted that the agency was synergising with both public and private schools, churches, mosques, and traditional and religious leaders to sensitise and enlighten people within the catchment ages on the dangers of drug abuse. He emphasised that one of the potent ways to fight crime was by enlightening the people about the dangers of committing the crime.

He, therefore, urged the ministry to partner with the agency to come up with a robust programme of action to sensitise schools and enlighten the people on the dangers of drug abuse.

Yahuza added that the agency would also educate, rehabilitate and reintegrate those already affected into the society. He promised that the agency would introduce the Drugs Integrity Test to families and institutions to help in curbing the menace.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the visit is the decoration of the commissioner as a War Against Drug Abuse Ambassador.

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FG declares holidays for Christmas, New Year

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The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, December 25; Thursday, December 26; and Wednesday, January 1, 2025 as public holidays to mark Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year celebrations.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, through a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, on Monday.

Tunji-Ojo extended greetings to Nigerians, encouraging citizens to embrace the season’s values of love, peace, and unity.

“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” Tunji-Ojo said.

He further emphasised the need for Nigerians to strengthen familial and community bonds, fostering harmony that contributes to national development.

Reassuring Nigerians of the government’s dedication, Tunji-Ojo stated, “The Federal Government is committed to ensuring peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.”

He expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would drive the country toward a more prosperous 2025.

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IGP directs FCID to take over investigation of Jimoh Abdulqaudri’s death in Police custody

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The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, made an unscheduled visit to Ilorin, Kwara State, on Sunday and directed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to immediately take over the investigation into the death of Jimoh Abdulqaudri, who reportedly died in police detention on Friday, December 20, 2024.

Jimoh, who had been arrested over a debt of N220,000 owed to his employer, Mr. Peter, was allegedly tortured to death by some police officers at the Kwara State Command. The police initially informed the family that he had hung himself in the cell.

While addressing Balogun Fulani, the traditional ruler of the community, IGP Egbetokun urged the people, particularly the youth, not to take the law into their own hands. He assured the community that a thorough investigation would be conducted and that justice would be served.

“I have directed the Commissioner of Police to investigate this matter thoroughly. We will get to the root of this incident and make the findings public,” Egbetokun said. “I ask for calm and caution, as we await the outcome of the investigation. I am already forming my opinion, but I will not conclude until the investigation is complete.”

The IGP also stated that “very competent detectives” had taken over the investigation, expressing confidence that the truth about Jimoh’s death would be revealed.

In his comments, IGP Egbetokun assured the deceased’s family of the police’s support, saying, “We will support the family in any way we can. If there is anything we can do to ease their pain during this difficult time, they should reach out to us.”

Various community leaders, including Balogun Fulani, youth representatives, and the Ilorin Descendants Union, demanded justice for Jimoh’s death.

Jimoh’s family, including his elder brother Ismail and his mother, Mrs. Adijat Moriyike, told the IGP that the deceased had been tortured by the police. They claimed that police operatives had beaten him with a hard object, causing his nose to bleed, and later falsely reported that he had committed suicide.

“My brother was arrested over a debt of N220,000, and we were in the process of settling it,” his elder brother explained. “He was arrested with his phone and N350,000. We were called around midnight on December 20 to bail him, but when we arrived at the police headquarters, we were told he had been taken to the hospital. At the General Hospital mortuary, we saw his body covered in blood. They claimed he hanged himself, but my brother was tall and couldn’t have done that in the cell.”

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IGP Never Ordered Beating, Attacks On Policemen During Stop And Search. It Is A Lie – FPRO

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The Nigeria Police Force wishes to address a viral fake news story that has emerged, claiming that Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has instructed citizens to physically assault and throw stones at police officers who request to search their phones.

This claim is entirely false and has no basis in reality. The IGP has not issued any such directive encouraging violence against law enforcement officers. Instead, he has called on citizens to report instances of police misconduct through appropriate channels. This approach underscores the importance of accountability and maintaining the rule of law, rather than resorting to violent actions.

Members of the public are urged to make use of the following Police helplines & contacts to lay complaints whenever necessary: +2347056792065, +2349133333785, +2349133333786, @PoliceNG on X, @ngpolice on Facebook, and @nigeriapoliceforce on Instagram. Citizens can also contact us by mail through; pressforabuja@police.gov.ng and reach us through the police website at npf.gov.ng

Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant against misinformation and verify information through credible sources. The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to fostering a cooperative and trustful relationship between the police and the communities they serve.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI
FPRO, ABUJA.
22ND DECEMBER 2024.

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