Category: Editorial

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, A Racial Nomenclature.

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While, we as Africans battle the attempts to westernize our continent by global forces, it is also right to note that on very crucially seemingly insignificant issues we have offered indirect concession to the prevalence of the western agenda, especially racism.

I went through a tweet a few days back and was captivated to read about the visit of the Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to Nigeria and how the CNN reported the news as  “Mark Zuckerberg makes first-ever visit to sub-Saharan Africa”, and just like many Nigerians, I was so into knowing why the same news Network will report the risings and issues of corruption and insurgents with clear identification  with the  name NIGERIA yet would report the coming of a global personality and link same to sub-Saharan…

Could it mean that as Nigeria, we matter less to host a personality of such or in this part of Africa, we are opportune to have him?

What was wrong in mentioning NIGERIA, or WEST AFRICA… better still Africa. What was the message communicated in saying that after many years of Facebook’s existence, Mark visited sub-Saharan Africa for the first time? Is there anything wrong with that part of Africa?

So the nomenclature SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA is very problematic and a strong indicator of racism and this I’ll illustrate in this article, while you read through.

Africa is a continent with over 40 nations, 54 to be very exact. In very recent findings, it’s been noticed that the United Nation, had categorized 46 of these countries into what they have presented to us and the world as SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.

The definition and justification of the category according to the UN is that these are nations that are not in the Sahara, most particularly aren’t in the core of the Sahara and don’t share religious and cultural linings with the middle East(Arabs),having this dominant in them and must be a north African nation, yet I fault these positions and find them  very misleading and full of ulterior intents.

The African countries in the Sahara are: Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, and Tunisia. In other words, if the dominant religion in a nation is the Arabic religion and culture as well as the nation is in the Core of the Sahara, that nation isn’t sub-Saharan.

The following on the other hand are the non sub-Saharan African countries according to the UN: Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Sequel to the above and following the UN condition for being a sub-Saharan nation, if truly the condition for being sub-Saharan is geographical, then what is a core Saharan nation like Mali, Niger, Chad doing in sub-Saharan Africa category? These are nations where 99.3% of persons living in for instance Niger, are Muslims, 58% in Chad are Muslims, core Arabian religion).

What is a nation like Eritrea doing as a sub-Saharan nation when her closest neighbor Mauritania is not?

Further ahead, a nation like South Africa until 1994 was considered a non sub Sahara African nation, but as soon as blacks took power as a result of the legitimization of the people’s government, it became sub Sahara African,

Why? What is an east African nation like Djibouti doing as a one sub-Saharan nation even when it’s not in the Sahara and not even North Africa?

What are the realities? The western bloc are being very careful not to pronounce the gross division they are gradually sowing in Africa, to say further the clear intention to divide Africa by color lines are clear in guise of uncalculated and faulty geographical distribution. So it will be immodest to out rightly say “white and black Africa” hence, the resort to use SUB-SAHARA to differentiate black African nations from those who are white Africans. Considering the nation’s in the non sub Saharan category, you’ll rightly see that they are all white African nations, whether you’re in the Sahara or not, while the other 46 sub-Saharan are entirely black nations whether you are in the core of Sahara or not like Mali, Niger and Chad.

I fault the conditions of the UN, and as well differ in her definitions of North Africa as nations sharing Arabic religion dominantly and sited the Sahara, then many nations in the West Africa and what they have tactically called sub-Saharan Africa, should not be there. By what SUB means, it translates lesser, partial, etc, how can we say NIGER, MALI, CHAD that are core in the Sahara are lesser Saharan nations? So, we see, it’s a tactical scheme to group black Africans away from their white brothers in the same continent.

Ekemini David is a Young Nigerian Student leader, Black Art and Traditional poet, Human/Civil Right activist, Basic Educationist, Community Development Advocate and Educator for the Rural people.

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Why promotion is important in Nigerians Police Force

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promotion is not only a way to add more responsibilities to a reputable organization or sector, but its a major form of boosting employee motivation and morale.

This results in high productivity and prevents your organization any from losing its valuable and important employees.

Great leaders, however, inspire their subordinate to reach higher, dream bigger, and achieve greater.

Perhaps the most important leadership skill you can develop is the ability to provide inspiration to your team and upcoming leader.

On the surface, it appears that the situation in Nigeria’s Police force is right, but realistically, the shine is supervised due to the unconstitutional and untoward occurring in the organization.

No wonder, successive IGs pursue reforms. At the end the status quo remains.

The problems in the Police seem institutional; the reason change, I mean thorough change has ageing eluded this all-vital organ of the Nigerian.

Some of the palpable problems which have defied panacea range from bribery, brutality/archaic policing qualities by men and officers and more.

The bail is free mantra popularized by the former IG was a mere sonorously song that merely tickled the police to laughter.

How on earth can bail be free in a world where it is an economic mainstay that lubricated the wheels of affairs in the ‘sector’ where morality or patriotism has been slain on the altar of commerce.

I think these subjects should be suspended for now for salient or recent developments.

It troubles me when I remember that some officers I think should have retired have just been promoted to a next rank when they should have exited the stage months ago, their are more vibrant and proactive officer’s that were supposed to be promoted to the next rank, but you find them stagnant on the same rank, promotion was supposed to be rotational, not lopsided.

Their enlistment was in 1984 as a constables. The inexplicable talk about it is that they forfeited years to later enlist as cadets.

They even claim that they first joined the police as civilians. Strange talks, abracadabra.

Another area of attention is the appointment of the Inspectors- General of Police (IGs).

If an IG assumes office when he had already served for 32 years, by the time he ends his tenure as the apex police officer of the nation.

If a CP, AIG, DIG, at the service age of 34 begins as IG at that point, he will end up spending 38 years in the police. How and why are these happening.

Some Chief Superintendents of police who from the records should be enjoying retirement, are relaxing on their new ranks as ACs.

If these are so, then, the situation only augments the fundamental problems bedeviling excellence in the police of Nigeria.

These many questions can be answered by looking into the activities of the police service commission. I just think that something that would improve the police of Nigeria will happen if some findings are carried out in this direction.

This may open a lot more that if corrected, will help address other pressing problems.

By Chukwudi Samuel.

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It must be stop “” the culture of Do or Die”‘

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By Maliki Duro

For years now South-South Nigeria has been a hotbed of bloody cult activities. The prevalence of this is tremendously high during election periods because politicians bankroll cult groups to carry out their violent political agenda.

The menace of cult activities in the region has led to enormous loss of lives and destruction of properties. It has also created a culture of “do
or die’’ where politicians employ every available means to win political
seats. Bloody clashes between opposing groups have created an apathy
towards voting during elections as people would prefer to stay away from
the polls than risk their lives.

Recently the Nigerian Army headquartered in Port Harcourt said it has uncovered a plot by politicians to arm thugs to disrupt the polls. This goes to prove that arming of thugs and cult groups in Rivers state and the zone, in general, is almost a norm and has created multiple security challenges. Arming of thugs in the past intensified militancy, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping for ransom, piracy, armed robbery, and all other forms of
insecurity in the region.

Within the last three days, eight people were killed during a cult war in
Benin, Edo state. In Delta state, four people were killed and eight injured on Saturday night after supporters of the two major political parties heading to the polls clashed.

As people of the South-South region go to the polls with potential risks of
violence at the back of their minds, security arrangements should be strategically intensified to ensure minimal electoral violence that has
plagued the region’s electoral history.

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Gemade Residents cries out for lack of electrical power supply.

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Gemade residents recently suffer lack of power supply from Ikeja Electric Company,  their incompetence, and the poor power supply has caused the occupant in that area severals set-back and a destitute of  comfort.
The residents disclosed the situation to the journalist  on Wednesday at 18hours, the situation is becoming unbearable and unendurable, the occupant in that axis have developed a song for so-called pandemonium, A new power poll by IKJ Electricity for the first quarter of 2017 showed that there was a decline in the state of power supply to Gemade residents, Growing up, NEPA (National Electric Power Authority) was the only main provider of electricity.
It was owned and operated by the government as a public organization until it was privatized and renamed Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). Despite the rebranded name changed, many Nigerians still easily refer to the power company as NEPA.  Blackouts occurrences have become a daily routine in Nigeria and its environs. Sometimes, it lasts for hours and other times it lasts for minutes. Once power is interrupted, people say “NEPA has taken light” and it is restored, they say “Up NEPA”.
The moment power is restored after days of blackout and you scream ‘UP NEPA’ and immediately the power supply is interrupted, they screen Power failure, When you have been living in darkness for one month and the power company brings electricity bill at the end of the month. When ‘IKJ ELECTRICITY’ officials disconnect your line for not paying electricity bills but you decide to reconnect it back with a warning for the officials.
Speaking to our correspondent, he FINALLY reveals what truly happened. he remarks.  when you begin to enjoy the cool breeze from your fan or Air Condition and begin to watch a movie, plug in your other electric appliances,  but the power company has other plans as they interrupt power again.
The electricity pandemonium in Gowon, Gemade axis has become a slap in the face,  children no longer enjoy the benefit of rights of a citizen, the environment has been subjected to the control of power failure, Kerosine, Fuel, lamp has become a daily usage in that area, in fact they are trying to bring the environment back to a decade.
Airview News correspondent added, there was power all through the night but you did not plug your phone before going to bed, shortly after you wake up to plug it, power is interrupted when power is suddenly interrupted and you notice that it is only your house that was affected. READ  IKJ COMPANY SHORTCOMINGS
Once there is a drop of rain, and the power company decides it is time to punish you with the blackout.
The frightening part is that transformer moment, that is the sound of ‘no power for the next 5 months or one year. They finally restore power but the voltage is so low that no electric appliance is working. How your house looks once your neighbours hear the sound of your generator.  And when there is power, life becomes pleasant, when power fails, the environment turns to dens terror, Electricity Pandemonium has turned to Israelites Journey, is like Pharaoh against the Israelites.
The Gemade residents, further lament that lately, they have been under alleged standstill leadership of IKJ COMPANY, pay your charges and experience poor power performance, the environment has turned to a destitute of comforts, the electrical chaos has become a thorn in the flesh of the occupant.  the inhabitants call for rescue.
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A true Democrat – Saleh Faruq Gagarawa

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A lot of Nigerians including me had started giving up on having someone who
will be the icon of democracy In Nigeria, someone who will enrich the image
of Nigerian democracy.

Several has been tested, many were expected to be the best Variety when
talking about democracy or being Democratic but they end up dwindling the
people

This has made a lot of people gave up on democracy or having someone that
is patriotic and a true democrat.

Just recently Nigerians began to have hopes again on democracy, especially
the good people of Katsina State when a son of theirs proved everyone wrong
on the false idea that there is no more a true democrat in the state.

This person gave up all his appetency, passion and desire for the 2019
gubernatorial election just for the benefit and progress of his state.

His mission was to elevate, uplift and exalt his state and people positively and effectively. It’s very rare to have find someone who’s only wish is to roll a lot for his state and people, someone who is not hungry for power and someone who can immolate all he has for his people.

Even though there’s a lot he could have archived without giving up all his
desires to run for the governor the Katsina born from Dutsinma loca government area chose his people above all in this world which is something that is almost impossible but we were all proved wrong and Umar Tata proved that it is possible

Tata took the bullet a political party fired to dull, harm and impair the image of Katsina State by giving out gubernatorial seat to a person who can only take the State in reverse or astern and wrap up it’s treasury, who would have thought that after making all plans for this a true democrat
will reject this plan.

He took the bull and join hands with others who truly has a mission for
Katsina State not a mission for their pocket, who has the same ideology as
his and who has the same mission for the state.

In this modern political setting it will be very difficult to have someone who cares more about the progress of his state and people than his pocket
indeed Katsina State is blessed With a true democrat.

 

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Citation of Late Ex IGP Ibrahim A. Commasie

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Late IGP Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomasie, GCON, NPM, mni Rtd was born 18th of March, 1942, in Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria.

He attended General Elementary School, Katsina from 1950 to 1952, Middle School, Katsina between 1953 and 1954, Middle School, Zaria from 1954 to1956, Provincial Secondary School, Zaria between 1956 and 1961, Barewa College, Zaria from 1962 to 1963. He also attended Imo State University, Owerri while in the Force.

He obtained West African School Certificate (WASC), High School Certificate (HSC), Diploma in Police Administration, LLB (Hons) in Imo State University, Member of the National Institute (mni), and Postgraduate Certificate in Policy and Strategic Studies.

Late IGP Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie Rtd was appointed into the Nigeria Police Force on 11th May 1964 as a Cadet Sub – Inspector and was trained at Police College Ikeja, Lagos.

He was on 11th May 1964 appointed Cadet Inspector and was on 01/07/1968 promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and confirmed on 01/07/1970. He was promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) on 07/07/1972 and promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) on 01/01/1974 and Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) on 01/04/1976.

On 01/11/1976, he was appointed Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ag. ACP) and promoted on 01/09/1979 to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP). He was an Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ag. DCP) from 15/07/1981 to 01/06/1981 when he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP). He was on 24/06/1983, appointed Acting Commissioner of Police (CP) and on 01/01/1984 promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police (CP).

He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIGP) on 29/12/1989. He was on 01/12/1991 appointed Acting Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Ag. DIGP) and 01/07/1992 promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIGP).

He was named the 9th Indigenous Inspector-General of Police, the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 26/08/1993.

Late IGP Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie Rtd was a Lecturer at Federal Training Centre, from January to May 1964 in Kaduna, Nigeria. He was an investigator in a Provincial Crime Division, Jos, Nigeria. He was moved to Administration and Investigation branches in a Special Area – Minefield Division, Jos, Nigeria. He was also in charge of Administration and Investigation of Personal Firearms Licence, Jos, Nigeria. He was a Detective in the Northern Regional Criminal Investigation Department in Kaduna, Nigeria. He worked in Administration, Northern Regional Headquarters, Kaduna, Nigeria. He was at the Administration – Provincial Police Command, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. He was a Staff Officer, North Central State Police Headquarters, Kaduna, Nigeria, Staff Officer, Rank and File, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters (FHQ), Lagos, Nigeria. Staff Officer, Inspectorate, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters (FHQ), Lagos, Nigeria, Staff Officer, Senior Officers, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters (FHQ), Lagos.

He became the Officer In charge Ports Authority Police, Apapa, Lagos Quays, Nigeria, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Kano, Nigeria, Administration Officer, Kaduna State Police Command, Kaduna, Nigeria, Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge New Federal Capital City Abuja, Nigeria, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters (FHQ), Lagos, Nigeria.

He was the Commissioner of Police, Administration, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters (FHQ), Lagos, Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Police Command, Commissioner of Police, Kano State Police Command, Deputy Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos, and Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Police Command.

He became the Force Secretary, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria and Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations) National Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria.

He was appointed and promoted to the exalted rank of the Inspector-General of Police, the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 1st August 1993.

Late IGP (Rtd) Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie in 1967 attended Detective Course at the Wakefield United Kingdom, General Overseas Course at the International Police Academy, Washington DC, USA in 1973, Military Intelligence Course at Fort Brag, Military Institute, North Carolina, USA also in 1973, Security Investigation Course at Inter-Service Training School, Washington DC, USA in 1973.

He was on Special Course in Police Methods and Instructorship at the Metropolitan Police Training School, London U.K in 1976, Senior Command Course (SCC), Police Staff College Jos, Nigeria (1980). He also attended Interpol Training Seminar for Investigation of Computer Crime at Interpol St, Cloud France in 1981 and was at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru Nigeria in 1991.

Late IGP Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie Rtd Nigeria Police Medal for Meritorious Service – NPM (1990), National Service Medal – NSM (1977), Republic Medal – RM (1977), Long Service Medal – LSM (1976), General Service Medal – GSM (1977), Member, National Institute – mni (1991), Silver Jubilee Anniversary – (1986), Selected Man of the year by the Sokoto State of Nigeria as Command Commissioner of Police for fighting Crime and Economic Sabotage and Grand Commander of the Order of Niger – (GCON).

Late IGP Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie Rtd was a Member and Secretary, Police panel on the reorganization of Motor Traffic Division in Nigeria (1970), Member, Federal Government of Nigeria Panel on the Review of Sea Ports in the Country (1976), Member of the Federal Government of Nigeria Investigation Panel on Corruption in the Operation of Nigerian Sea Ports involving Foreign Shipping Agencies (1977), Member, Sokoto, Kano and Kwara States of Nigeria Executives Councils, Member, Sokoto, Kano and Kwara States of Nigeria Security Councils, Chairman Kano State of Nigeria Panel on the Rationalization of Government Parastatals – (1986), Chairman, Kwara State of Nigeria Implementation Committee on the Civil Service Reforms in the Country 1988-89), Member Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1993-1999), Member, National Security Council of Nigeria (1993-1999).

Among the Seminars and Conferences Late IGP Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie Rtd attended are Interpol Conference on Crime in the Wharf and Dock areas at St. Claude, Paris France, (1975), Seminar for Senior Police Officers, Attorney-General of the Federation and Federal Commission Officers on Transition to Civil rule at the Police Staff College, Jos, (1979), Interpol Training Seminar on Computer Crime at St. Claude, Paris, France (1981), Conference on Problems of Nigeria’s International Borders at the National Institute for International Affairs (1986), and Interpol Seminar on Toxic Waste, Advanced Fee Fraud, Money laundering, etc, at Lyons, France (1992).

Late IGP Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie Rtd as a well-traveled personality during his lifetime visited Niger Republic, Benin Republic, United Kingdom, U.S.A, Germany, Italy, Sicily, France, Switzerland, Cambodia, Netherlands, Morocco, India, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, China, Thailand, and Eritrea.

He was a lover of Reading, Squash Racket and Watching Video.

Late IGP Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie Rtd was also a prolific writer and has these papers to his credit; Threat to Internal Security: A Paper presented at the Joint Police/Military Training Week, (1987). Law, Religion, and Security as Factors for Stability in Nigeria in the Third Republic; a paper submitted at a seminar organized by Kwara State Chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association (1988).

The threat to Internal Security; The procedure of handing over to the Military by the Police; A paper submitted at Nigeria Army Training Week Kwara, Nigeria (1989).

Law enforcement for Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria in the Third Republic; Research Paper presented as partial fulfillment for the Award of Member of the National Institute (mni) Kuru, Nigeria (1991). “Police Operation”: A paper presented to executive Course 1/02 for Commissioners of Police, Nigeria (1992).

Pressure Group Agitation and National Security: A paper presented at the seminar organized by the Nigerian Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lagos, (1992). Toxic Waste: Nigerian Experience (1992): A Paper Presented at the Interpol Lyons, France (1992). Role of the Police in the Maintenance of Internal Security: Lecture delivered to Participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC. 11) National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Nigeria (1992).

The Nigeria Police and the Emergent Scenario of International Crime Prevention, Detection, and Control; Lecture delivered at the Business luncheon of the Nigerian American Chapter of Commerce, May 1994. Managing and Protection of Human Rights: Being an opening address at an International Seminar held at Abuja, Nigeria, organized by the British Council, 1994. State Security and Individual Liberties; A Police Dilemma, A keynote address delivered at the Workshop on Law Enforcement and Human Rights in Nigeria jointly organized by the Civil Liberties Organisation and the Nigeria Police, 1994.

Wind of change-A Keynote Address Delivered at the Joint Workshop of the National Orientation Agency and the Police, November 1994. The Way Forward-The Nigeria Police and objects of Prosecution; An Address Delivered at the opening of the National Conference of Law Officers, March 1996.

The Nigeria Police and Maintenance of Internal Security; Lecture Delivered to Senior Executive Course 17 Participants NIPSS, Kuru, Nigeria, April 1996. The Police as Pace-Setter and Role Model in the Transition Process; Keynote Address Delivered at Joint Workshop of the National Orientation Agency and the Police, November 1996 and The Nigeria Police in Perspectives; Lecture Delivered to Participants of Senior Executive Course 18 of the NIPSS, Kuru, Nigeria, 1996.

Late IGP Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie Rtd was married to Mrs. Baraka Coomassie, who was Police Officers Wives’ Association (POWA) chairperson between 1993 and 1999 and blessed with children.

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The Spate of Drug Peddling & Addiction- Why The NDLEA Needs Support.

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No doubt there has been an increase in the activities of drug peddlers and consumers in recent times, particularly at suburbs and underdeveloped areas across the federation.

Certain sports or areas are notorious for these illicit trade and act, even the known developed areas are not totally free from the menace. This is due to the fact that the owners of some of the magnificent edifices that dot the high- brow areas are drug dealers with agents scattered all over, the same way the ‘abusers’ of such drugs.

This is a worrisome phenomenon, particularly against the background that a troubling number of youths of the nation now passionately embrace the illegitimate consumption of hard drug as well as the commercial opportunities common to it.

It is commonplace to see youths who sit idle throughout everyday findings solace in the intake of marijuana and different hard drugs.

Juxtaposing the situation, with the hard economic experience that majority of the youths are confronted with, the scenario portends a great danger for Nigeria and her well-meaning populace who now dwell in fear and uncertainty. The crime rate has escalated and viciousness has permeated the greater part of Nigeria’s socio-cultural cum political atmosphere.

Never can any Nigerian living today gainsay the fact that robbery (arm and others), kidnapping, ritual killings, cultism and related criminality have saturated our environments to the point that no one sleeps with two eyes closed.

In views of these, the existence of law enforcement agencies such as the national drug law enforcement agency empowered to combat criminals in illicit drug trades and abuse within Nigeria is most essential.

The NDLEA since inception under the control of. AIG Oyekhilome Fidelis (Rtd.) has done wonderful exploits for Nigeria via its vigorous checks against drug deals and consumption.

Pursuant to actualizing its statutory functions, the agency has pursued these criminals, stopping them from spreading freely in domains and creating uncontrollable situations. Suffice it to say that the agency has lived up to the essence of its creation thus far by drastically reducing the spate of drug peddling, consumption and addiction which are the bane of societal sanity and the reasons for most of the violent crimes committed across.

This is why the NDLEA needs the support and understanding of all patriots and law-abiding citizens who are conscious of the destructive and destabilizing effects of hard drugs circulation and consumption, the reason the destructive and destabilizing effects of hard drugs circulation and consumption, the reason the media and well-meaning Nigerians must continue to partner with this all-important agency in order to ensure a reasonable degree of sanity in the polity.

It is important therefore for all the good people of very prone areas to collaborate so seriously with the Drugs Law Agency so they could continue to dispense thorough check on criminals.

Recently, the event that took place in Lagos island where the NDLEA officials had gone for a raid is most unfortunate.

The Drugs Law enforcement officers were attacked and forced to retreat by the drug dealers and their agents in that notorious drug vicinity. Findings proved that a faction of the drug who suspected their competitors as the one who invited the NDLEA officials started a fracas which led to the wounding of some people reported in the media.
Similarly, at the Agege area of Lagos state precisely Akerele area where one Azeez Jolaosho was arrested with 5kg suspected cannabis sativa (marijuana), a simple and singular legitimate cleansing operation of the executive chairman.

Trouble began when 2 NDLEA official’s suspiciously advanced to the NDLEA detention facility where Jolaosho and other detainees were and ruffled officers who calmly challenged their advancement to the facility. The rest story is what we all know. The Agege situation is sorry, sad and unfortunate; just as the Lagos State Island saga.

It is high time we showed understanding to the NDLEA in Lagos State where there are population expulsion and the influx of several questionable characters that have the tendency to sell and do drugs as they carry out their duties towards maintaining law and order Rather than antagonize them,they should be aided to achieve greater and better result, so that criminals in the hard drugs terrains can be checked.

It is quite commendable, heartwarming and in the interest of the state of Lagos state and the nation at large what the Lagos command of the NDLEA has done tremendously well in the fight to subdue drug traders and users.

In 2017, under the leadership of Sule Aliyu, commander of Narcotics and the commander, Lagos state command of NDLEA the agency seized 9.6 tonnes of hard drugs with 175 suspects arrested out of which 150 were prosecuted.

Sustaining the tempo in 2018, the Lagos command of the NDLEA between January and may seized 2.3 tonnes of hard drugs, arresting a total of 60 suspects prosecuting 40.

These exploits have made residents of FESTAC, IKOTUN, EPE, AJAH, MUSHIN, AGEGE etc have a sigh of relief as the activities of the bad boys have drastically reduced, after the raids carried out by the NDLEA.To continually dispense quality in the kind of battle this great agency is doing, the authorities must, as a matter of necessity and urgency, enhance the environment where the NDLEA operates.

There is also an urgent need for a mass campaign against drug addiction and peddling necessary towards providing the needed conduciveness for men and officers of the agency to thoroughly combat what has become a threatening menace, not just to Lagos, but also the nation.

The time to show the NDLEA in Lagos State sheer understanding of the essential synergy they require to pursue sanity for all is now.

By Prince Chukwudi. Samuel.

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