Connect with us

Metro

NDLEA: Marwa, Late Officers’ Widows Hail Buhari over Payment of Entitlements

Published

on

Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) on Wednesday 25th August joined widows of deceased officers of the Agency to appreciate and pray for President Muhammadu Buhari for granting intervention fund to pay the burial entitlements of at least 188 personnel who died in active service.

Marwa and the widows spoke at a brief ceremony at the Agencys headquarters in Abuja for the payment of burial entitlements that had been pending since 2014 to the widows and families of the deceased officers. The NDLEA chairman recalled how President Buhari had equally stepped in to provide bailout funds for states twice to be able to pay workers salaries, among other pro-masses interventions by his administration. In the course of his speech, he asked the gathering to offer both Islamic and Christian prayers for the President and his government.

We owe a big thank you to President Muhammadu Buhari for his magnanimity in providing us with a special intervention fund to discharge our duty, specifically to officers and men who lost their lives in the line of duty, he stated.

According to him, Todays event is very significant to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the families of our officers and men. The prevailing solemnity cannot be helped, given that the proceedings relate principally to officers who have passed on. This presentation of burial expenses payments to their families and beneficiaries will understandably evoke painful memories and sober reflection for us all. However, the Agency finds a modicum of consolation in its ability to discharge its duty to its employees who paid the supreme price while pursuing the NDLEA mandate. Hence, this occasion is symbolic as an attestation of the resolution of the NDLEA leadership to engender an institution where the welfare of staff commands utmost priority.

While acknowledging that fighting illicit drug trafficking and abuse is a tough job, not only in Nigeria but also globally, Gen. Marwa however said that the battle is twice as dangerous due to the obvious reason that the drug abuse prevalence of our country is three times that of the global average.”

For him, this precarious matrix did not deter our personnel from performing their duty of safeguarding society from the scourge of illicit substances. Even though there had been demoralising circumstances and there are distressing conditions that could dampen their will and zeal, the officers and men of the NDLEA neither abandon their duty nor lose their sense of responsibility to society. The achievements recorded in the past seven months are a testament to the hard work and loyalty of the NDLEA workforce.

“In the same vein, the NDLEA leadership has been working strate
gically to navigate the bureaucratic labyrinth and break the gridlock that had kept the Agency at a standstill for several years. One of our objectives is to enshrine an effective workplace ecosystem where the welfare of the NDLEA staff, the prevailing working condition is at par with what is obtainable in other national security services. Moreso, we aim to engender a milieu where issues relating to the career of staff are processed according to global best practices. What we are doing today is one of such strides.

He reminded the gathering that the NDLEA is not made up of the headquarters buildings but the officers and men who work to achieve institutional goals. According to him, Whatever achievements we have to our credit, they are a product of the service, sweat and sacrifice of our officers and men. Imperatively, it is incumbent on the leadership to look after their wellbeing, cater to their welfare while they are here and even when they are no longer in service. We will do these to our maximum capability, especially for those that died in the line of duty. Otherwise, how do we convince those in service to be committed if we fail to tidy the affairs of those who lost their lives in the line of duty?

“It is to this end that we have worked assiduously and purposefully to ensure the payment of burial expenses to the families or beneficiaries of 188 personnel that we lost while on duty. Although the last payment was in 2014, I would not want us to regard todays event as a once in a blue moon development. We are presently perfecting a process that will run seamlessly such that our personnel get their emoluments, allowances and other benefits as and when due.

“We are aware of the challenges in processing life insurance claims and pension benefits from Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs). We have been in contact with these institutions for early processing of claims. For life insurance claims, we have received 30 discharge vouchers for 2017 deaths and 10 discharge vouchers for 2020 deaths from the underwriters and brokers. By discharge vouchers, it means the claims are at the last stage of payment. We are still processing other due insurance claims for other years with the relevant institutions. I have also directed that the internal group personal accident insurance scheme be resuscitated for death, medical expenses, temporary and permanent disabilities.

While apologising to the widows and families of the deceased officers and men who died in the line of duty for the late payment of the entitlements, Gen. Marwa said the best Nigeria and Nigerians can do to immortalise these late officers and men is for all to stand and join the fight against the twin evils of drug trafficking and drug abuse, the main cause for which these heroes laid down their lives.

The NDLEA shall not abdicate its responsibility to its employees. We shall continue to reinvent our administrative process to be responsive in an efficient and timely manner that will assure our officers and men that their future is well secured.

Speaking on behalf of the other widows, Mrs Khaltume Hassan Amali expressed appreciation to President Buhari for coming to the aid of NDLEA to enable the Agency meet its obligations to the families of its deceased officers. She commended the President for appointing a seasoned and an excellent administrator as Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency.

“We shall continue to pray to God to guide and protect you, your officers and men as you strive to move the Agency to greater heights. We are also grateful to you for ensuring that the widows and children of deceased officers do not suffer injustice,” she added.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Wednesday 25th August, 2021

Continue Reading
Advertisement


Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Metro

Dangote Refinery Raises Petrol Price to N1,350 Per Litre

Published

on

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has increased its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) aka petrol, gantry price by 6.7 per cent to N1,350 per litre from N1,265 per litre, effective September 12, 2026.

The refinery also raised its coastal price to N1,783,530 from N1,669,543, representing an increase of N113,987, or 6.8 per cent.
In a memo to customers, Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced the revised prices, saying:

“Dear valued customer, please find below the revised DPRP PMS gantry and coastal price which is effective 12th September 2026.”

The refinery also directed customers with existing loading arrangements to return their Automated Truck Certificates, ATCs, for repricing.

It said: “You are advised to return all ATCs for repricing and a new volume contract will be issued for immediate loading resumption.”

The latest adjustment is expected to increase the acquisition cost of petrol for marketers sourcing supplies from the refinery and could put upward pressure on pump prices.
The increase comes amid renewed volatility in the international crude oil market, with Brent crude recently trading above $100 per barrel.

Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market operates under deregulation, with petrol prices influenced by crude oil costs, refining expenses, foreign exchange, logistics and market forces.

Consequently, the new Dangote price is expected to trigger reviews by marketers, although the extent of any adjustment at filling stations will depend on transportation, distribution costs, competition and prevailing market conditions.

The Dangote refinery has emerged as a major supplier of locally refined petrol as Nigeria seeks to reduce its dependence on imported petroleum products.

The latest increase could therefore have implications for consumers and businesses if marketers pass the higher acquisition cost through to retail prices.

Marketers are now expected to adjust their purchase and selling prices in response to the new Dangote petrol rates.

Continue Reading

Metro

Sex Romp in Osun Claims Male Partner’s Life, Woman Arrested

Published

on

The Osun State Police Command has arrested a woman after a vigilante member, identified as Sunday and popularly known as Apetu, died shortly after having a sexual encounter with her in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

A video circulated on social media showed the man in severe distress at Ooni Ilare Street, where he was heard pleading with the woman to give him urine.

The incident occurred on Sunday around 2:30pm in the Odi-Olokun area of Ile-Ife, after which the woman was taken into custody at the Moore Police Division.

According to a situation report attributed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Apetu was found gasping, screaming and pleading with the woman while showing signs of severe physical distress after the encounter.

The report said the man eventually died from the incident, while his remains were deposited at the morgue of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife.

The cause of Apetu’s death has not been officially established, despite claims by some residents that he died from what they described as a “thunderbolt.”

Authorities have not confirmed the claim or established any link between the traditional belief and the man’s death.

The belief centres on a traditional claim that a person affected by a supposed “thunderbolt” spell could harm another person through sexual contact. However, the claim has not been established as a medical or scientific explanation for the death.

A senior officer of the Osun State Police Command said the command was aware of the reports circulating on social media but warned members of the public against spreading unverified information.

The incident has drawn attention in Ile-Ife because of the conflicting accounts surrounding the sudden death.

Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and allow the police and relevant medical authorities to establish the actual cause of death.

Continue Reading

Metro

Basit Kolade: Lagos Police Confirm Mob Action, Arrest of Four Suspects

Published

on

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed a mob action which allegedly led to the death of one Basit Kolade.

The victim was allegedly attacked by a group of individuals following a road traffic incident at Freeman Street, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, 2nd September 2026, at about 10:40 p.m, a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, SP Adebisi Abimbola, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), said.

The Police noted in the stateent as follows:

Preliminary investigation revealed that Basit Kolade was travelling with his spouse, from Ebute Metta towards Lagos Island in a black Lexus Jeep, with registration number KSF 115 JZ, when a motorcycle allegedly collided with the vehicle from behind.

An argument reportedly ensued between both of them. In the course of the incident, the vehicle allegedly reversed and hit the motorcycle, causing the rider and the motorcycle to fall. This reportedly attracted a group of individuals in the area, who allegedly attacked Basit with dangerous weapons. His spouse was rescued by some women in the vicinity, while Kolade was rushed to the Lagos Island General Hospital, where he was subsequently confirmed dead. The motorcycle rider who was allegedly hit in the incident is, however, alive and currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital.

Four (4) suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the attack. They are Khalid Rafiq ‘m’ 20 years; Gafar Rahim ‘m’ 21 years; Ibrahim Azeez ‘m’ 33 years; and Samos Momoh ‘m’ 21 years. Efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other persons who allegedly participated in the attack.

The Command has commenced an investigation into the incident, which is being treated as a homicide case, and the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for further investigation and appropriate legal action.

The Command wishes to reiterate that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, guarantees every person the fundamental right to life under Section 33. The Constitution permits deprivation of life only in circumstances specifically recognised by law.

Similarly, under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, unlawful killing constitutes an offence of homicide. The law provides that unlawful killing may amount to murder or manslaughter depending on the circumstances. In particular, the provisions on murder cover unlawful killing with the intention to kill or cause grievous harm, with the law prescribing severe punishment upon conviction.

The Command therefore warns members of the public against mob action, jungle justice, and the resort to self-help under any circumstance. No individual or group has the legal authority to arrest, try, convict, or execute another person.

The warning is consistent with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, who has directed Police Commands to treat cases involving mob action resulting in death as homicide and warned that persons who participate in, organise, incite, or support such attacks will face the full weight of the law.

The Command reiterates that suspicion or an allegation of wrongdoing does not confer on anyone the right to take the law into their own hands. Members of the public are urged to promptly report criminal incidents to the Police and allow the law to take its course.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, has directed that all persons found culpable in the incident be identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. He assures members of the public that the investigation will be thorough and professional, and that all persons found to have participated in the attack or otherwise contributed to the death will be made to face the law.

Continue Reading