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Anger Rises Over Onochie’s INEC Nomination; Civil Society Groups Petition NASS

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Laureta Onochie

By Akinwale Kasali

For several months, the objection by many segments of the society, including Political Parties, stalled the screening of Lauretta Onochie, a Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari as a Commissioner on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Nigerians were stunned when  Buhari nominated Onochie, described by not a few people as a foul-mouthed rabid Buhari supporter. Onochie is also a card carrying member of the ruling party at the center, All Progressives Congress, APC.

But eight months down the line, Buhari resubmitted Onochie’s name to the Senate for screening. The result is the rising anger from many Nigerians, especially, the Civil Rights Community.

Following her  by Buhari, recommendation,  Civil Society Groups have written a petition to the National Assembly opposing Onochie as an INEC National Commissioner.

It would be recalled that on Tuesday October 13, 2020, President Buhari had sent a letter to the National Assembly requesting the confirmation of three nominees as INEC National Commissioners and one Resident Electoral Commissioner which was read on the floor of the Senate during plenary.

The Civil Societies which petitioned the National Assembly include; Yiaga Africa, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, PAACA, International Press Centre, IPC, Institute for Media and Society, IMS, The Albino Foundation, Centre for Citizens with Disability, CCD, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, NWTF, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, PTCIJ, Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, and CLEEN Foundation.

Onochie who hails from Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State is among the nominees awaiting confirmation by the Senate.

She was nominated as National Commissioner of INEC to represent the South-South region.

However, On Wednesday, 9th June 2021, eight months after her nomination, the Senate referred Onochie’s name to its Committee on INEC to commence her screening as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. This has generated controversy and a rejection from different quarters.

The groups based their petitions on whether the President consulted with the Council of State before submitting to the Senate a letter nominating Onochie as INEC’s National Commissioner, as stated in Section 154(3), 156(1a), Third Schedule, Item F Paragraph 14(2a) and 14(3b) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended), as a confirmation by the Senate without the input of the State Council is unconstitutional.

The petition also added that Section 156(1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly prohibits the appointment of any person who is a member of a political party as a member of INEC.

The petition reads in part: “To further ensure the neutrality of the members of INEC, the Constitution clearly mandates in the Third Schedule, Part 1, Item F, paragraph 14 (1) that a National Commissioner shall be non-partisan and a person of unquestionable integrity which Mrs. Lauretta Onochie is found wanting in this category.

“However, until this moment, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie is not only a card-carrying member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), and a Special Assistant to President Buhari on Social Media, but she is also notorious for her partisan, biased, and in some instances inflammatory comments on National issues targeted at perceived or imagined enemies of the Buhari Government.”

The  petition made it known that Onochie has been identified by some Media houses as one of the Nigerian politicians who used fake news as campaign strategies online.

The groups also stated that “While the social media space is still littered with many other inexcusable tweets and posts by Mrs. Onochie, it will be innocuous to state that the nomination of an individual as INEC’s National Commissioner who as in the instant case has habitually demonstrated unabashed partisanship should be outrightly refused and rejected by the Senate. Doing otherwise is a violation of our constitution and the impartiality of our electoral umpire”.

You would recall that former Vice President, and the People’s Democratic Party’s, PDP, Presidential candidate in the 2019 Presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, sued Onochie to the tune of five billion Naira for alleged libel and defamation of character. The case is still in Court.

Nabbed: Baker Who Supplies Bread To Bandits, Makes N400k Per Month

By
Bayo Bernard
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By The Source

If you are still wandering how bandits in the Northern part of Nigeria get food supply in the thick forest after kidnapping their victims, you need not search further, as security forces have now nabbed one Hassan Magaji who sells bread to bandits, and on his part makes as much as N400,000 profit per month as profit.

Magaji, who told the police that he owns a bakery in Kaduna state said he has made fortunes supplying bread to the criminals in the forest.

He was on his way to do another brisk business on June 8 when eagle-eyed policemen arrested him and three others; bubakar Ibrahim, Auwal Abubakar and Ibrahim Kabiru on their way to Damari forest around Birnin Gwari and Giwa Local LGAs.

At the time the suspects were arrested, they reportedly had 150 loaves of bread at the factory.

Magaji said his life changed after he met the bandits who provided him with enough cash to do the business.

Hear his confession “My relative, Mustafa Magaji, who owns several bread factories, visited in 2018 and taught me how to bake cakes. I used the N21,000 that I was able to save to start the business and now I make at least N400, 000 a month,” the suspect told The Sun newspaper.

“The boom in my business began when I started supplying bread to bandits.

“Initially, I used to go around their camp area to sell bread in small quantities. Luckily, it was during one such movement in 2019 that I met Mohammed from Galadimawa and he bought ten loaves of bread and took my phone number.

“I sold the bread N200 each instead of the regular market price which was N170. The next day, he called me and said that the bread was so sweet that I should bring 20 pieces.

“The day I took 20 pieces and I met with three others who were with him that day. They told me that they would like to be buying in a larger quantity and I told them that I did not have enough cash. We agreed that they would pay the entire money before I would bake.

“They started with N20, 000 worth of bread and gradually increased it to N50, 000 a day. After removing the cost of ingredients, I make as much as N150,000 in a week.”

On his part, Abubakar said he started working for Magaji three months ago and did not know that selling items to criminals is illegal.

“I started working for Magaji about three months ago. I am paid N500 and a loaf of bread every day. My job is to join and bake the bread and also sell them in the various communities.”

Questions Over The Abduction Of FGC Yauri Students

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Most Nigerians are not only angry over the abduction of a yet to be known number of students of the Federal Government College, Yauri, Kebbi State, they are shocked at the ease and timing of the abduction.

They are asking how the students could have been abducted in broad daylight without any security agencies intercepting the bandits who reportedly came riding several motor cycles. How remote is the school?, they want to know. How could the bandits escape carrying the students, perhaps in pairs or in threes? Where were the check points usually mounted by the Military and Police?

The bandits, according to the Police, also came in a vehicle belonging to a High Court Judge in the State Judiciary, obviously snatched. When was the vehicle snatched? And was it reported to the Police? Where is the driver of the snatched vehicle?

Nigerians are also saying it is such a shame that this abduction happened soon after President Muhammadu Buhari granted interviews promising and threatening fire and brimstone against those who he claimed wanted to make the country ungovernable for him. These bandit, many agree, have again, called  Buhari’s bluff.

Speaking on the incident, Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu,  strongly condemned the abduction of the students and teachers.

So far, one of the students has been found dead.

Bagudu lamented the spate of insecurity in the country,  and applauded  the Army’s swift response in securing the release of some students and teachers.

He promised a quick release  of the remaining abductees.

The bandits allegedly entered the town through the nearby Rijau forest.

On arrival to the school, the armed bandits were said to have shot and  killed a security personnel during an exchange of gunfire.

The Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson, Nafiu Abubakar, in a statement, said the police are in hot pursuit of the bandits, but failed to disclose the numbers of students abdcuted.

In his words, “A combined team of Police operatives is currently in hot pursuit of bandits who today, June 17, 2021 attacked the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State.

“The team comprising operatives from the Police Mobile Force, Anti-kidnapping and Counter-terrorism units are currently combing nearby forests, routes and suspected hideouts of the criminals.

“The Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, CP Adeleke Adeyinka, mni while condemning the attack which resulted in the unfortunate death of one policeman and gunshot injury to one of the students has assured parents and guardians of students that the Command is following credible leads and intensifying efforts to track the assailants and ensure the rescue of the students and teachers”, the statement reads.

Director, Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, had in a statement on Friday said the Nigerian Army troops operating under the auspices of Operation Hadarin Daji who have been on a hot pursuit of kidnappers and bandits following an unfortunate abduction incident in Federal Government College, Birnin Yawuri had so far, rescued two teachers and five students after a fierce exchange of fire with the criminals.

He said the rescue followed an initial encounter with the abductors in the early hours of today 18 June 2021 after trailing the kidnappers from Yawuri through Riyao to Sombo community, where the kidnappers who had split into two groups fled, with one group conveying the abducted children , while the second group conveyed rustled cattle.

Nwachukwu stated that the land troops in conjunction with elements of the Nigerian Air Force, who provided close air support during the rescue mission intercepted the two groups at about 2.30 am and engaged them in a fire fight leading to the successful rescue of the teachers and students.

“The troops also recovered 800 cattle rustled by the bandits. The gallant troops are still on the heels of the kidnappers in order to rescue the remaining abductees still in captivity.

“Sadly, a casualty was recorded during the exchange. A female student was found to have given up the ghost as a result of exhaustion. The rescued teachers and students will be handed over to the Kebbi State Government,” he said.

A Chief Executive’s Horrifying Death In The Hands Of A New Friend

By
The Source
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Ataga

By Gideon Njoku

Michael Usifo Ataga was rich. He lived it to the hilt. In Lagos where he resided, it was where only the rich could reside – Banana Island. In the area, the rent for a two-bedroom flat could go for as high as five million Naira, or more, per annum. But he lived in his own house, which must have set him back by scores on millions of Naira. That’s what it costs to be a home owner there.

And why not?

He worked hard. He was self-employed. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, and was on the Board of Super.

An accomplished young man, his wife was no less accomplished. While he lived in Lagos, his wife lives in Abuja, where she works, with their children.

But this good life went up in smokes over a big blunder. A blunder not a few men commit, and take for granted. He had another interest outside his house, a female interest.

A respectable man, he respected his home, the bed he shared with his wife. He did not want to desecrate it, or his home. He also did not want to be taking his girlfriend to hotels.

Money was not the problem. So, he rented a flat in another good area of Lagos, Lekki Phase 1.

He thought it was a smart idea. Big mistake.

This last Thursday, it turned fatal. The girlfriend whose name is not public yet, allegedly, murdered him in the Lekki flat.

It is not known exactly what happened. But, it must have been a well laid out plan. She, allegedly, drugged him, before murdering him by stabbing him on as many places as she could – heart, neck, chest, stomach.

The news of Ataga’s gruesome murder was first broken by The Street Journal.

He was  first reported to be missing. The report was made  on Sunday by worried  friends and family when nobody could reach him on the phone, with no faintest idea of where he went to.

The fact that he had not been seen in his  Victoria Island office changed the mood from worry to panic. Not even his wife could guess where he was.

Aged 49, his lifeless body with multiple deep stabs, was finally found in the flat more than 24 hours later, reportedly by a combined team of Police and DSS Personnel.

Whoever his company was had disappeared.

And, a large chunk of money, allegedly, withdrawn from his bank account in a second generation bank.

Questions are being asked if the girl, who she met, allegedly, only two weeks ago, carried out the gruesome murder alone. Or, did she get help from one or two other people to have easily subdued him?

Those who knew him say he knew a thing or two about boxing, and they ask why he was not able to use his skills.

However, it is left for the girl to say exactly what happened. She is under arrest by the Police, according to  sources, and she is expected to sing like a bird.

Meanwhile, Atiga’s family and friends are completely devastated – obviously.

Kaduna: Again, El Rufai Set To Clash With Labour

By
Bayo Bernard
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By The Source

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has proven that he has no intention to go back on his quest to downsize the state’s public and civil services, after sacking 90 political appointees on the payroll of the state.

This is likely to set off another rounds of  clashes with labour unions who, last month, shut down the state after 4000 local government workers were sacked. The unions were later prevailed upon to shelve the strike after the federal government intervened.

Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment said on Friday on Arise Television interview, that negotiation is still on to reconcile the labour unions and the state government over the sack.

In spite of the furore generated by the sack gale, Governor El- Rufai said the downsizing of the state’s workforce is the right thing to do at this time considering the resources available to the state.

Speaking on the sack the Kaduna helmsman said  “so far 99 political appointees have lost their jobs but we have not commenced rightsizing civil servants.

El-Rufai who made the disclosure at a media chat with some Kaduna-based broadcast journalists on Thursday night, explained that the disengaged political appointees constitute 30 per cent of political office holders.

“We want to be fair with regards to civil servants. We had earlier promised that before we reduce the size of the civil service, we will start with political appointees and we have done that,’’ he said.

No going back on the planned reduction of civil servants in the state, despite the opposition to the process, he said, adding that the government could no longer afford to pay them in the face of dwindling revenue accruing to the state government from the federation account.

He explained that the government decided to start with political appointees and that the state will ensure that any civil servant to be disengaged really deserved to be sacked.

He said “however, civil servants with question marks on the veracity of their data have to be given a chance to clear the doubts before any action is taken on them.”

The governor said that his government has employed 11,000 more workers in the health sector, Kaduna State University as well as primary and secondary school teachers across the state.

The governor disclosed that it is a fallacy to allege that the salaries of political appointees account for the bloated personnel cost of Kaduna State Government.

‘’In March 2021, the salaries of these political appointees amounted to N259 million , while civil servants were paid N3.13 billion, aside from costs related to state contributions to pension, accrued rights and other personnel costs. So, it is false to insinuate that political appointees are the ones that guzzle most of the state’s resources,’’ he said.

Justifying the rightsizing of the public service, he said that all states and the federal government are affected by this shortfall of revenue and some states have even reverted to paying the old monthly minimum wage of N18,000.

‘’Kaduna State cannot continue to use 84% to 96% of our revenues to pay salaries of less than 1% of the population. The rest of our people, all 99% of them, need better schools, hospitals, water supply, roads, markets and support for agriculture to make a living outside government,’’ he said.

The governor however promised that Kaduna state will not reverse the N30,000 minimum wage that it has started paying.

“We are the first government, federal or state, to pay the minimum wage. We will retain the minimum wage of N30,000 and the consequential adjustments that gave most of our civil servants a 66% salary increase. We will also retain the minimum pension of N30,000 monthly.

“The unified Local Government Service continues to pay the minimum wage, even though they varied the consequential adjustments for their workers below the level for state civil servants,’’ he added.

Chiaka Ogbogu, Nigerian-American, Makes US Olympics Volleyball Team

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Chiaka Ogbogu

By Adesina Soyooye

When the United States of America’s Volleyball Olympics Team, 12 in number,  files out in Turkey with its intimidating squad, one of the most prominent members, who would play her heart out to make her country, USA, proud, is Chiaka Ogbogu.

Her parents are Nigerian-Americans. Her  father, Uzor Ogbogu, a Medical Doctor, is from Anambra State. Her mother, Adaku Vicky Ogbogu, an accomplished entrepreneur, is from Owerri (Emekuku), Imo State.

Their daughter, Chiaka, is a phenomenon. A born star, she stands at six feet, two inches, and is like air when she is on duty in the Volleyball field.

While  on duty, she is described as Supersonic, because that’s what her speed is.

Chiaka Ogbogu
Chiaka Ogbogu

Her parents cannot quite pinpoint how she started and became a world star, but Ogbogu, the first of their three children has always made them, particularly, proud.

A combination of beauty, brain, brawn and talent, she attended the University of Texas, Austin, UTA – a University meant for only the best. You  get admitted only if you are among the first ten  in your class and other examinations from high school. She made that and, studied Kinesiology, prior to her studying Medicine, like her father, after she finishes with sports.

Before she hit both National and International status, Ogbogu was a Coppell and Texas volleyball Star.

She led Coppell to two State titles, and was a University of Texas phenom.

Ogbogu has since turned professional, and has plied her trade in a couple of countries, including Italy, Poland and Turkey. In all countries, she is a huge star.

The 26-year old is a middle blocker. She has been a member of the U.S. National team since 2018.

Ogbogu, in a brief on her,  “led Coppell to State titles in 2011 and 2012.

“She was named the Gatorade Texas Volleyball Player of the Year in 2012. And had 486 kills and 144 blocks as a senior at Coppell.

“She went on to play at Texas, where she was a three-time AVCA All-American and the 2017 Big 12 Player of the Year. She left UTA as the school’s record holder in career blocks.”

Ogbogu is expected to be a hit at the Olympics in Turkey.

Her parents’ prayers: That she makes her country, USA, proud by coming home from  the Olympics with a Medal – hopefully, Gold.

Ondo Reacts To Federal High Court Ruling; Says State Has No Plan To Cut Short Tenure Of Chief Judge

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government has clarified that it was needless to make appearance in a suit filed by the Chief Judge of the State, restraining Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from probing or sacking her.

News report had it, early in the week, that the prayer of the Chief Judge was granted as the Governor was stopped from removing the Chief Judge.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had barred Governor  Akeredolu from investigating the Chief Judge of the state over a viral video made by a citizen of the State, Olupelumi Fagboyegun.

The Ondo State Chief Judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, had sued the Governor, the Attorney General of Ondo State and the House of Assembly seeking to stop them from proceeding with the planned probe, and equally bar the AGF, NJC and the IGP from acting on any report submitted to them by the Ondo State Government pending the determination of the main suit.

Justice Ekwo had, on February 25, 2021 restrained the Governor and all the defendants from taking any further steps in relation to the alleged probe of the state chief judge over the viral video.

The Judge gave the order while ruling in an ex-parte application filed by Justice Akeredolu.

A statement on Friday, signed by the Commissioner for  Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, explained that the suit was unnecessary and mere ego trip as the Governor was not contemplating on removing or probing the CJ.

The statement explained that “the Ondo State Government from the commencement of the said suit in question, did not consider it worthy of any legal efforts.

“It was vainly an ego pursuit as far as Government was concerned. In unambiguous terms, the suit was an unnecessary distraction for which no legal representation was made neither on behalf of the Attorney General nor the Government  for the period it sufficed.

“The reasons behind the needless efforts to drag in the Executive Arm of the State Government, particularly, Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, into the matter are well noted.

“It must be stated however, that, Governor Akeredolu is not only a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria; he is indeed a Life Bencher who had served as a member of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

“He is, therefore, better informed  with the procedural processes relating to the removal of a serving Chief Judge of a State hence his directive that the State Government should not participate in the hearing of the needless suit filed by the Chief Judge (CJ).

“Simply put, the Executive Arm of the Ondo State Government, led by Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, at no time had interest whatsoever, in cutting short the tenure of the State CJ.

“If at all, the State Government can only wish the CJ God’s Infinite Grace till August so as to accord her a deserving retirement honour as a Jurist.”

Zulum Spends ₦350m To Prevent Crowd From Buhari During Visit To Borno

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

For years, Borno State has been the epicenter of Insurgency by the dreaded Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP.

Thousands of residents in the State have been displaced, losing their families, loved ones and properties to the terrorists’ attacks.

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has on multiple occasions been attacked by the same Group, escaping death by whiskers.

Residents of the State have on several occasions called on the President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration to come to their rescue, but the appeals have not yielded any good fortunes, rather, the attack keeps escalating by the day.

President Buhari officially visited the State on Thursday, and knowing that his visit could be greeted by boos from residents of the State, Governor Zulum had, two days before the visit, in a Statewide Broadcast pleaded with the people of the State to welcome the President with open arms.

The Governor was basically avoiding a repeat of what happened in February 2020, when residents booed President Buhari as his convoy drove past when he visited the State on a Condolence visit.

The crowd had shouted in Hausa, saying, “Bama so, ka samu a kunya”, meaning, “We don’t want you here, you have disappointed us”.

Knowing the people of the State are displeased with the insecurity situation of the State and not  sure of the reaction of the people when the President finally shows up in the State, Governor Zulum is alleged to have spent a whopping N350 million to mobilise the crowd for the visit of President Buhari to the State.

It was gathered that the Governor considered the spending necessary to ensure that the Nigerian leader was not booed or stoned, with his  Official visit to the State marred with protest.

Ondo PDP Alleges Move To Frustrate Appeal Against Akeredolu’s Victory

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), Ondo State has cried out over an alleged move to frustrate its plan to appeal against the judgement of the Court of Appeal which dismissed the petition filed by its candidate, Mr Eyitayo Jegede two days ago.

The Court had, on Wednesday, struck out Jegede’s  Appeal for lack of merit against the Election Petition Tribunal which had earlier upheld the victory of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu during October 10, 2020 Governorship election.

Immediately after the verdict which was delivered virtually, the PDP and Jegede gave notice of their intention to appeal against it.

However as at the close of work on Thursday, the PDP claimed that it was unable to get certified true copy of the judgement.

In a statement, the PDP spokesman in the state, Mr Kenedy Peretei, said there was an underground move to frustrate the next move to Supreme Court.

“The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, delivered judgement on the Appeal filed by PDP and Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, against Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Wednesday, 16th June, 2021.

“The five-man panel of Honourable Justices read their judgements one after the other.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter is surprised that, our application to the Office of the Registrar, Court of Appeal to get Certified True Copies of the Judgement has been met with some kind of buck passing between officials of the Court in Ado-Ekiti and Akure.

“In view of the fact that, the Supreme Court has only sixty days from the date of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, to dispose of this matter, any attempt to play games or to apply delay tactics will amount to nothing but sabotage and a calculated attempt to subvert the course of justice.

NDLEA Promotes Officers, Calls For More Commitment

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Chairman of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohammed Marwa (Retd), has approved the immediate promotion of 3,506 officers and men to their next ranks.

Spokesman of the agency, Mr Femi Babafemi said in a statement that the gesture was coming after many years of stagnation in the Agency.

The statement added that this followed a report by the harmonisation committee set up by  Marwa soon after assuming leadership of the agency in January to address the issues of low morale and stagnation in the career path of personnel.

The NDLEA Chief Executive approved the immediate promotion of 2,910 officers between the rank of Narcotic Assistant and Superintendent of Narcotics, while 596 others between Chief Superintendent of Narcotics and Assistant Commander General of Narcotics were recommended to the Board of the Agency for elevation to their next ranks.

The Board of the Agency, which met on Wednesday 16th June, 2021, gave its nod to the elevation.

The Chairman charged the officers to see their elevation as a call to give their best in the task to rid the nation of illicit drug trafficking and abuse.

Marwa reiterared his commitment to push the Agency to the frontline with the support of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“To whom much is given, much is expected. I will, therefore, urge all of our officers that have been promoted to double their efforts as a mark of their commitment and appreciation to the President and Commander –in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, whose political willpower and mandate to bring an end to the scourge of illicit drug abuse and trafficking in the country we are implementing in the agency.”

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