News
NDLEA arrests 31,675, seizes 6.3 million kg drugs in 29 months
The fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking has yielded significant results in the last 29 months with the arrest of 31,675 drug offenders, this is according to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
The NDLEA added that of the 31,675 arrested offenders, 5, 147 were prosecuted and convicted, while over 6.3 million kilogrammes of assorted drugs were seized within the same period.
This was as the agency charged citizens to stop the stigmatisation of drug users, adding that it discourages them from seeking treatment, which in turn has serious socio-economic repercussions for individuals and their families.
The Secretary, NDLEA, Mr Shadrach Haruna, who represented the Chairman, Buba Marwa, made this known in Abuja on Monday during a joint press briefing with the country representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Mr Oliver Stolpe, to flag off weeklong activities marking the 2023 World Drug Day.
Haruna said, “This year’s theme, ‘People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention,’ is in furtherance of the whole-of-society approach to taming the drug scourge. This theme is especially pertinent to the Nigerian situation at the moment.
“In the past two and a half years, we have strengthened our law enforcement efforts to cut down on the supply of drugs in society. In 29 months, we have arrested 31,675 drug offenders, including 35 barons; successfully prosecuted and convicted 5,147 of them; and over 11,000 other cases still pending in court, while 23,725 drug users have been counselled and rehabilitated, the majority of them through brief interventions.
“At least 6.3 million kilogrammes of various illicit substances have been recovered in response to our efforts to sweep up drugs and shut down the distribution channels. We have destroyed 852.142 hectares of cannabis farms and dismantled three clandestine methamphetamine laboratories. I can assure you that even as we speak, NDLEA agents are busy with interdiction activities somewhere.”
He further noted that drug supply reduction is, however, only one of the components of the equation, noting that another crucial component is drug demand reduction, which operationally means prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
In his remark, Stolpe emphasised the benefits of international cooperation in criminal justice matters, with the specific target of dismantling trafficking networks involved in the terrible trade.
“Long overdue is the need to make sure that the public and primary healthcare providers are better prepared to take basic drug counselling needs, knowing how to deal with people suffering from drug use disorders,” Mr Stolpe said while commending the NDLEA for the successes recorded so far in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
News
536 blind candidates participate in 2026 UTME
Other categories, including candidates with down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and dyslexia, also recorded notable admission rates, with dyslexia candidates achieving a 100 percent success rate.
More than 536 blind candidates and others with special needs participated in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across 11 designated centres nationwide, under arrangements tailored to their needs.
Chairman of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, disclosed this in a statement, in Abuja, yesterday.
He disclosed that Kano State recorded the highest number with 136 candidates, followed by Lagos with 95, while Abuja hosts 46 candidates.
Others were from Ado-Ekiti, Bauchi, Benin, Enugu, Kebbi, Oyo, Jos and Yola, each supervised by experienced academics, many of whom are former vice-chancellors.
He noted growing interest among candidates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, describing it as a positive shift and also acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by blind students in pursuing science-related disciplines, and disclosed that efforts have been underway since 2018 to address these barriers.
Prof Okebukola expressed satisfaction with the improving admission outcomes for candidates with disabilities, noting that in the 2025 admission cycle, 483 candidates applied for tertiary education out of which 252 secured admission, representing a 52.2 percent success rate.
He disclosed that candidates with visual impairment formed the largest group, accounting for 429 applications, with over half successfully admitted.
Other categories, including candidates with down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and dyslexia, also recorded notable admission rates, with dyslexia candidates achieving a 100 percent success rate.
(The Sun)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Dr. Fatima Suleiman Zuntu as the new Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), for an initial term of four (4) years, effective from April 16, 2026 in accordance with the provision of Section 5 of the National Biosafety Management Agency, 2015.
Dr. Fatima Suleiman Zuntu is a Public Health professional and policy strategist with a proven track record of driving impactful national programs.
The President tasks the appointee to contribute her expertise to the agency for the good of the nation.
Developing story.
News
JAMB releases Thursday’s UTME results
In a statement issued by the Board on Friday, and signed by its spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, candidates were advised to check their results by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number (SIM) used during registration.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released the results of candidates who sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination on Thursday, April 16, 2026, with a total of 632,788 results now available for viewing.
In a statement issued by the Board on Friday, and signed by its spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, candidates were advised to check their results by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number (SIM) used during registration.
JAMB clarified that at this stage, candidates can only view their results, as printing options are not yet available.
It also issued a strong warning against attempts to manipulate or alter result messages received from official channels, stressing that such actions constitute a criminal offence.
The Board added that it is already taking action against offenders, revealing that some suspects are currently in custody.
“Currently, two candidates and one parent are in custody for engaging in result falsification using AI and other electronic means. Any candidate found culpable will face the full consequences of the law,” it stated.
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