The Police Service Commission has vowed to flush out drug addicts in the Nigeria Police Force and has extended an invitation to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to assist the Commission achieve this noble objective.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations said the PSC chairman made the vow during a visit to the Corporate Headquarters of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency where it formally met with the Agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive and his Management team.

It said the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu, used the occasion to invite the Agency to join the Commission in all the processes of screening prospective Nigerians who are desirous of joining the Nigeria Police Force.

DIG Argungu, who was received by Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Chairman of the Agency, said there was need for a functional partnership between the Commission and the Agency in the fight to eradicate drug abuse in the Nigeria Police.

He commended the Agency for the assistance in screening intakes of the Police Academy, Wudil Kano which he said has drastically reduced the incidences of drug addiction by students of the Academy.

The PSC Chairman said there was need to upscale this assistance to cover the Recruitment processes in the Nigeria Police Force.

“We want you to help us fish out the drug addicts who obviously should not be allowed to get into and corrupt the system. We want to get it right and get the Police to work “.

DIG Argungu said it was dangerous to give fire arms to drug addicts and vowed that the Commission is poised to flush out such Officers in the Police Force.

The Chairman commended his host for his track record of excellence in the service of the nation.General Marwa, in his response, congratulated the Chairman on his deserved appointment and prayed for his success.

He pledged the Agency’s commitment to assist the Commission sanitize Police Recruitment.” We will try our best to bring the menace to an end, but it requires intelligence, sharing intelligence, training” he noted.

July 22, 2025 – Lagos, Nigeria:

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has Commended the Director -General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Tosin Ajayi, for demonstrating a rare and commendable commitment to upholding human rights, the rule of law, and institutional accountability.

Okechukwu Nwanguma Executive Director of RULAAC, have the commendation today in a media statement.

The statement reads:

“We note with satisfaction the recent steps taken under his leadership to:-

Release a number of unlawfully detained individuals, including Abdulyakini Salisu, who had been in detention since 2022;-

Pay financial compensation to victims of unlawful arrest, wrongful detention, and mistaken identity;-

Tender official apologies to affected individuals;-

Provide medical support and rehabilitation to victims;-

Take disciplinary action against erring operatives responsible for these violations.

These actions represent a significant departure from the long-standing culture of impunity in Nigeria’s security sector and offer a concrete example of how security agencies can demonstrate — rather than merely tout — respect for human rights and the rule of law.

In stark contrast, the Nigeria Police Force has persistently failed to act on similar cases of abuse, even in the face of clear court judgments and public outrage.

A notable example remains the case of Glory Okolie, a young woman illegally detained by police officers attached to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in 2021 for over 150 days, during which she was abused and dehumanized.

Despite a Federal High Court judgment awarding her ₦60 million in damages and ordering her release, the Nigeria Police neither issued an apology nor took any disciplinary or remedial action.

RULAAC therefore calls on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to:

1. Publicly acknowledge and apologize for past and ongoing human rights violations under the Nigeria Police Force;

2. Comply fully with all outstanding judicial orders, including payment of damages to victims like Glory Okolie;

3. Set up a dedicated human rights audit committee within the Force to review and redress cases of unlawful detention and abuse;

4. Institute disciplinary action against officers who violate human rights, as a deterrent and commitment to reform;

5. Embrace a leadership approach grounded in transparency, justice, and accountability, similar to the path now being charted by the DSS.

The credibility of Nigeria’s democracy hinges on the conduct of its law enforcement agencies.

We cannot continue to condone a culture where police impunity is the norm and citizens’ rights are routinely violated without consequence.

The recent actions by the DSS DG show that reform is possible — where there is the will.

The IGP and the Nigeria Police Force must show that they, too, are capable of change.

There was drama at the entrance of the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Tuesday as security operatives barred suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from gaining access to the premises.

The senator arrived at the gate accompanied by activist Aisha Yesufu, rights advocate Mama P, activist Randy, and a crowd of supporters, but was denied entry by security officials.

Yesufu, in a bid to intervene, confronted the officers stationed at the gate and challenged the order allegedly issued to block Natasha’s entry.

She said, “National Assembly is meant to be for everyone. Why are you stopping us?

“We are not abiding doesn’t mean we are cowards,” she said.

The standoff quickly escalated as some supporters began chanting “Push!” while attempting to force their way in.

Natasha’s supporters were later seen marching toward the complex, chanting solidarity songs.

Details later