The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of support and a stronger partnership while commending the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) for providing excellent leadership that has led to streaks of operational successes in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

The assurance and commendation were conveyed when the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Salem Saeed Musabbeh Alshamsi, paid Marwa a courtesy visit at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, 11th November 2025.

According to the Ambassador, “I’m here to appreciate your hard work and the great leadership you have provided the NDLEA. We have been following your achievements very closely, and I must say you have done very well and are still doing an excellent job. We follow all the good work that you’ve been doing, especially all the drugs you’re seizing and blocking from coming to the UAE, and we’re so proud of your achievements, and that’s why we’re here to deepen our cooperation with your agency in the area of fighting drug trafficking. The UAE looks forward to working more closely with Nigeria on drug enforcement matters.”

While extending an invitation to Marwa to visit his counterpart in the UAE and the Dubai Police leadership for further engagements, the envoy expressed the readiness of his government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NDLEA on areas of collaboration with the agency.

“We need to exchange information about drug dealers and all of their activities. We are here to help and to support you, especially on this matter. We must have very great communication between the UAE and Nigeria, especially now that the relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria has become one of the best. If there is any other thing I could do to support the great work you’re doing here, please do not hesitate to ask me, and I’ll be available and willing to do it in appreciation of your great leadership. Our mission is to be here for you, assist and support you,” the Ambassador stated.

In his response, Marwa expressed appreciation to the envoy for his kind words on his person and the work of NDLEA, while also commending the developmental strides in the UAE. He praised the Ambassador’s years of dedicated service and the huge leap in trade and movement between Nigeria and the UAE in the last two years, which he said is in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I’d like to acknowledge the strong diplomatic relations between our two countries that have continued to grow stronger every year. And Your Excellency has just told us now the latest in billions of dollars in non-oil trade, and this is something that we welcome very much in Nigeria because the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda wants to achieve not just peace and stability, but prosperity for all Nigerians.

The drug scourge is universal, both the trafficking of it and the abuse of it, and there’s a need for collaboration between nations to achieve solutions on this. And in Nigeria, the NDLEA is the agency that is tasked with the control of illicit drugs in the country.”

The NDLEA boss noted that in the last four years, the agency had intercepted a total of 302.202 kilograms of assorted illicit substances going to the UAE either at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos or some courier companies in Lagos.

As the largest anti-narcotics agency in Africa, Marwa said NDLEA partners with all leading drug law enforcement agencies across the world. “We welcome the collaboration between NDLEA and our counterparts in the UAE. We’re also willing to honour the invitation to visit the UAE for collaborative discussions and sign the MoU,” he assured the envoy.

The Lagos State Police Command has debunked a viral report claiming that the Command attempted to release a Lebanese national accused of defiling eight children, describing the story as false, misleading, and inaccurate.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the Command clarified that the case in question is being professionally handled by its Gender Unit with utmost diligence, discretion, and adherence to international best practices.

According to the statement, the suspect in the matter is not a Lebanese national but a citizen of a Southern African country. The Police further revealed that both the child and her biological mother gave statements affirming that the child was neither molested nor defiled by the accused person. 

“The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with standard operating procedures for cases involving children and young persons,” the statement read. “The Command remains committed to ensuring justice without fear, favour, or sentiment toward anyone, whether a foreign national or Nigerian.”

The statement explained that the complaint originated from the child’s father, who rarely has custody of the child, and that his allegations are being thoroughly examined to prevent any miscarriage of justice. The outcome of the investigation, it added, will be made public upon conclusion.

Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has ordered a discreet probe into the allegations raised by the reporter, assuring that no stone will be left unturned in unravelling the truth. He also confirmed that the journalist behind the initial report has been contacted and briefed on the progress of the investigation.

CP Jimoh further expressed full confidence in the Officer-in-Charge of the Gender Unit, ACP Toyin Kazeem, who was on official assignment in the United States when the matter was reported. He praised her integrity and professional record, noting that under her leadership, the Gender Unit has delivered justice to numerous vulnerable persons across Lagos State.

The Command urged members of the public and the media to continue to repose confidence in the Lagos State Police Command’s ability to ensure justice, particularly in cases involving children and other vulnerable groups.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a six-count charge against a 27-year-old man, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, for, among others, allegedly advocating for a military coup in the country.

The DSS, in charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025, said Onukwume, of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, allegedly committed the offence in October this year.

In the charge filed on November 11 by A. M. Danalami, the DSS stated that by his conduct, Onukwume committed offences contrary to and punishable under Sections 46 A (1) and 59 (1) of the Criminal Code Act.

It was gathered that he would be arraigned before the end of the week.

Some counts in the charge read:

“That you, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, male, 27 years old of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, sometimes in October, 2025 having the intent to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturbing the public peace, posted a message calling for a coup in Nigeria on your social media account to wit: your verified X account (@theagroman), by which you published the following words: “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian government and join the AES. That is all we need now.’ You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 59 (1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, male, 27 years old of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, on or about 15th day of October, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, with intent to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, enmity, criminal intimidation, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety, against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, knowingly and intentionally posted a message on the social media via your verified account, to wit: your verified X account (@theagroman), by which you published the following words: ‘It will happen eventually, Nigerian. The military needs your support now! Only them can save this country. The bastardd in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West, and they run our intelligence apparatus only the military can reset this country.’ You thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (As Amended).

“That you, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, male, 27 years old of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, on or about 15th day of October, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, with intent to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, enmity, criminal intimidation, hatred, ill will, or needless anxiety, against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, knowingly and intentionally posted a message on the social media via your verified account, to wit: your verified X account| (@theagroman), by which you published the following words: “Tinubu has to go and APC has to die for Nigeria to have any semblance of normal life. And if you think your stupid, votes can remove Tinubu. I’m here to tell you that you’re a fool.’ You thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (As Amended).

The Nigeria Police Force has debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, “smuggled names” into the Nigeria Police Academy admission list.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the NPF described the report as false, malicious, and defamatory, saying it was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and tarnish the image of the Force and its leadership.

“The report is a barefaced lie, a product of irresponsible and unethical journalism, and a calculated attempt to erode public confidence in the Police institution,” the statement read.

The Force clarified that the admission process into the Nigeria Police Academy is transparent, merit-based, and strictly adheres to due process. For the 2025/2026 academic session, it said, 370 candidates, ten from each state, were admitted solely on merit after meeting all academic, physical, and character requirements.

While acknowledging that recommendations from leaders or institutions are sometimes received, the Force emphasised that such referrals do not influence admissions. “Under the watch of IGP Egbetokun, no name is smuggled, no slot is sold, and no standard is compromised,” the statement affirmed.

Challenging Sahara Reporters to present a single verifiable name from the admission list that failed to meet stipulated requirements, the Police described the publication as “a baseless fabrication, an act of journalistic blackmail, and a grave defamation of character.”

The Force further condemned what it termed a recurring pattern of targeted misinformation against national institutions, warning that such actions threaten public trust and national security.

CSP Hundeyin cautioned Sahara Reporters to desist from spreading false and malicious reports against the Nigeria Police Force, noting that the Force would not hesitate to seek legal redress for defamation if the trend continues.

He urged Nigerians to disregard the publication, assuring that the Police remain steadfast in their commitment to merit, transparency, accountability, and the protection of lives and property.

“No amount of blackmail or falsehood will distract the Nigeria Police Force from its sacred duty of safeguarding lives, property, and the integrity of our nation,” the statement concluded.