President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the substantive Inspector-General of Police (IGP), marking a key leadership transition in the Nigeria Police Force. The ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja, shortly before the President presided over the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of 2026.

Disu, who had been serving in an acting capacity following his appointment and subsequent confirmation by the Nigeria Police Council, took the oath of office at approximately 2:53 p.m. The swearing-in followed his unanimous endorsement as the 23rd IGP.

In his first remarks after the oath, the new IGP disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force is actively monitoring potential security implications from the escalating crisis in the Middle East. He emphasized that intelligence-led policing efforts are underway, with heightened surveillance, patrols, and deployments across the country to prevent any spillover effects or breakdown of law and order.

Disu highlighted awareness of certain groups in Nigeria that maintain allegiances or ideological ties to actors in the Middle East (often referred to in contexts as the “eastern part of the world”). He warned that developments in the region could have local repercussions and stated that the Force is engaging such groups to ensure no one takes the law into their own hands.

On the contentious issue of state policing, Disu reaffirmed that it “has come to stay” and should not be viewed as a threat to the jobs or roles of federal police officers. Instead, he described it as a collaborative partnership to bolster overall national security. To address this, he announced the inauguration of a high-ranking committee (comprising senior officers) to examine the matter from the Nigeria Police Force’s perspective, review global and local policing models, assess community needs, and guide the implementation process.

The events underscore the administration’s focus on security reforms amid regional and domestic challenges, as Tinubu’s government kicks off its 2026 agenda with renewed leadership at the helm of the police force.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old fugitive drug lord Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya who has been on the wanted list of NDLEA and British authorities for over 15 years.

Ilomuanya was apprehended at a location in Lagos on Monday, 23rd February 2026, following a high-stakes well-coordinated operation by officers of a Special Operations Unit of the Agency.

Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, commented that his arrest ends a long-standing cat-and-mouse game with the law following his long history of drug related crimes across Nigeria and the United Kingdom, which highlight a persistent involvement in global narcotics trade.

He was first arrested in February 2003 and convicted in the United Kingdom for drug trafficking; sentenced to nine years but was later released after two years in jail upon appeal.

Not done with the crime, he was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 for drug-related offences.

He was granted administrative bail but jumped jurisdiction and fled to Nigeria.

Typical of a recidivist, Ilomuanya was in November 2018 arrested in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in his Obinugwu, Orlu LGA country home in Imo state and at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Close Lagos house where officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment.

He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court, Lagos after which he jumped court bail and has been on the run since then.

Reacting to the successful operation leading to Ilomuanya’s arrest, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) described the development as a significant breakthrough in the agency’s relentless war against drug cartels.

According to him, “This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice.

Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation.

“We remain committed to our international collaborations to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a sanctuary for global drug lords.

The NDLEA under our watch will continue to strengthen intelligence-led operations, deepen international cooperation, and ensure that those involved in the illicit drug trade are brought to justice.”

He commended the officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism, resilience, and diligence in tracking down the fugitive, stressing that the Agency remains unwavering in its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks operating within Nigeria.

Women in Obubra Local Government Area, Cross River State, have taken the lead in the battle against hard drugs by imposing a fine of N500,000 on anyone found using or selling banned substances, with threats of ex-communication for non-compliance.

Led by Mrs. Caroline Ekpe, a school teacher and mother of five, the women drawn from Onyen Orangha, Nkum Iyala, Akam, Nyametet, Ababene and surrounding communities in Obubra, marched through villages, chanting songs and declaring zero tolerance for drug abuse.

Lamenting the alarming rates of hard drug abuse among youths, the women, who were mostly mothers, said that they are fed up with the devastating impact of substance abuse on their children and communities.

The women cited rampant road crashes, squabbles, pregnancies, and immoral sex among youths under the influence of drugs.

The women declared that the atrocious activities caused by youths on drug influence are taking a toll not only on themselves but the entire communities and therefore must stop.

Mrs. Ekpe emphasised that the women in the entire Obubra are highly disturbed about the mental state of their children occasioned by high drug abuse.

She said that the women have taken a stand against the abuse of methamphetamine popularly known as “ice”, shisha, marijuana, tramadol and other illicit drugs in their communities and as such vowed that it must stop.

“We are mothers and must act now before the situation gets completely out of hand.

If our men are looking the other way, the government not concerned and the churches not bothered about what is going on, we the women who gave birth to these children must show them the right way before our communities are completely engulfed in drugs and deviant acts”

” We have had enough. When they ride motorcycles after taking these drugs, it is like they want to fly and often they end up crashing and killing themselves or maiming others.

“If an elder, even their parents talk to them it is like an ant talking. We certainly cannot continue this way,” she said.

Mrs Ekpe added: “The girls are not left out. They take these things and become something else and before you know it they are pregnant. The burden becomes that of the mother to take care of the mother and the child. Why should that be?

” We know that these drugs are brought from outside to destroy our youths and our communities and our eyes are watching to see who would dare us by bringing drugs here again both at night or in the day.”