BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA.

The North Central zonal headquarters of the National Centre for the Control of Small and Light Weapons,(NCCSALW) in a sustained inter-agency collaboration received a large catches of arms and ammunitions r intercepted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Kogi State Command.
The North Central Zonal headquarters of the Centre in Minna,on the 6th of October,2026 was in Lokoja for the official handing over of the large catches of arms and ammunition recovered by the Kogi State Command of the NDLEA.
The NCCSALW led by the Zonal Director,Dr. Abdull Adamu Eneche represented by the head of the Support Services of the Centre Lt.Col. Kabir Olukunle Olagunju in a demonstration of proactive synergy and sustained operational follow-up successfully retrieved recovered arms and ammunitions from the NDLEA
Among the recovered items handed over to the Centre, include eight hundred and seventy- four (874) cartridges,one pump action rifle,thirty-five (35) local Dane guns, three (3),locally made pistols, and two (2) VRD PISTOLS.
The retrieval according to Lt.Col. Kabir Olagunju, is part of the Centre’s deliberate and strategic efforts to rid the society of illicit firearms and ensure that all recovered weapons are duly accounted for,documented,and taken out of unauthorized circulation,in line with the Centre statutory mandate.
The brief and significant handover ceremony was attended by the representative of the Kogi State Government, Navy Commander Jerry Duro-Omaodara (Rtd), Security Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State.
The efforts underscores the unwavery commitment of the NCCSLAW under its leadership to further strengthen inter-agency synergy and consolidate the Federal Government’s resolve to curb the unwholesome proliferation of small arms and ammunitions and light weapons across the North Central States and the nation in general.
Speaking during the ceremony, the assistant Commandant General of the NDLEA,ACGN Usman Yahuza Mustapha,stated that over the years, Kogi State due to its strategic Command of the NDLEA,has recovered a large catches of arms and ammunitions from convicted drug dealers during raids operations and stop and-search operations across the state.
He noted that the seizures serve as a strong warning to drug peddlers and arms traffickers in the state.
Emphasizing that the leadership of the NDLEA under the Chairman Chief Executive of the agency,Brig.Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa the agency’s mandate goes beyond drug control “ but safeguarding lives by disrupting illegal arms supply chains”
In line with the office of the National Security Adviser directives, (ONSA), the ACGN formally handed over the recovered weapons to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSLAW),North Central Zone expressing confidence in the centre’s capacity to secure and properly destroy the illicit arms.
He also reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to maintaining zero tolerance for drug and arms trafficking in the region.
Also speaking Lt Col Kabir Olakunle Olagunju Olagunju, representing the Zonal Director, North Central Zone,Dr. Abdul Adamu Eneche commended the NDLEA the strategic Command kogi, state, for the successful recovery and for its unwavering, dedication and to national security
He noted that the recovery and subsequent handover of the arms and ammunition from criminal elements is a significant operational feat, which has directly denied criminal networks access to lethal weapons capable of destabilizing the society.
He further stressed that sustained synergy and intelligence sharing among security agencies remains vital to dismantling the networks of gunrunners and arms trafficking syndicates, adding that tackling the menace of illicit arms proliferation requires a whole-of-society and collective institutional effort, which the Centre will continue to champion under the purposeful leadership of the Director General, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (Rtd). Olagunju reaffirmed that the Centre, in line with the strategic directive of the Director General for zero tolerance for illicit arms in unauthorized circulation, will ensure that every recovered weapon is duly accounted for. He therefore encouraged other security agencies to emulate the commendable example of the NDLEA. While formally accepting the recovered arms and ammunition, he assured that they would be properly documented, safely warehoused, and subsequently destroyed in accordance with international arms control procedures and best practices.
In his remarks, Omodara, expressed gratitude to the NDLEA for its efforts in keeping Kogi State free of illicit drugs and illegal firearms. He commended the National Security Adviser for his excellent organization of the Centre, which has earned it wide recognition and acceptance. He called on the Director General of the Centre to establish a state office in Kogi State and across the North Central Zone, noting that its presence in the states would strengthen synergy among security agencies.
He assured that the Kogi State Government would forward a letter of commendation to the NDLEA in recognition of its commendable efforts. He further urged that the recovered arms and ammunition be properly secured and destroy to prevent them from finding their way back into society.

By George Mgbeleke

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has declared that the party will not allow itself to be rigged out in the coming elections.

Senator Mark made this statement during a courtesy visit by the Governing Council of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development to the party headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Council, led by the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, said the courtesy call was part of the Centre’s ongoing stakeholder engagements with political parties and political leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The retired justice expressed the Centre’s commitment to promoting free, fair and credible elections and urged the ADC leadership to encourage its candidates and members to comply with INEC’s rules and eschew all forms of political violence.

In his response, Senator Mark declared the ADC’s commitment to playing by the rules.

“We are committed to playing politics in a manner that promotes public confidence in democracy,” he said.

He also emphasised that the party would comply with INEC’s rules guiding the elections, as well as the ADC’s code of conduct, articulated in its Orange Book. He said, the party would, however, not accept rigging.

“We hold ourselves to the highest standards of good conduct as a political party. We will play by the rules. But we will not accept rigging or allow ourselves to be rigged out,” he concluded.

Justice Ariwoola’s entourage included members of the Savannah Centre’s Governing Council, otherwise known as the “Council of the Wise”.

They included Professors Abdullahi Shehu and Azeez Musa Dankano; the Executive Director, Ambassador Sani Bala; Mr Tunji Lardner; and Ambassador Godswill Ighali, among others.

By David Owei

Five persons have been feared killed at the weekend in a renewed cult war in Yenagoa,the Bayelsà State capital.

The war, which broke out on Friday between notorious cult groups known as Bobos and Greenlanders, has led to recorded killings in Agudama, Obele and Back of St.Peters in the state capital.

Sources confirmed he killings have damaged the peace accord secured among the various cult groups by the Former leadership of the State Police Command. And threatening to damage the accord entered into between the Greenlanders and Icelanders.

A sources claimed the first killing recorded in Agudama community led to the butchering of a youth and his head severed. Another cult boy was also shot in the buttocks but was rescued by a neighbour and his present state of health is unknown.

However, our correspondent could not immediately confirm the reasons behind the renewed hostilities. But many confirmed that both the Bobos and Greenlanders are known rivals irrespective of any existing peace accord.

A check at the Imgbi road area, the Ovom and Obele dark spots showed the disappearance of youths involved in the cult related activities over the fear of police arrest or attack from rival groups.

Already, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Saka Adewale has ordered intensified operations against cultism and cult-related violence across the State

Ajao has ordered an intensified operations against cult-related activities, insisting there must be no sacred cow.

The CP directed Divisional Police Officers and tactical commanders to increase patrols in vulnerable areas, identify emerging threats and act promptly on credible intelligence about planned clashes, initiation ceremonies and recruitment.

The Command is also strengthening engagement with community leaders to detect tensions early. Where an attack occurs, officers will move swiftly to secure the area, investigate those responsible and prevent retaliatory violence.

Cult groups contemplating an attack or reprisal should be under no illusion: the Command will pursue them and their sponsors and get them.

The public is reminded that the Bayelsa State Secret Cults/Societies and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2012, as amended in 2018, prohibits membership and sponsorship of secret cults and provides serious criminal penalties upon conviction.

There will be no sacred cows. Anyone reasonably suspected of organising, financing, facilitating or participating in cult-related crimes will be investigated, regardless of status or influence. Where the evidence warrants it, suspects will be charged before the appropriate court in accordance with due process.

Parents and guardians are urged to caution their children and wards against cult involvement. Residents should immediately report planned attacks, recruitment or other cult activities to the nearest police station.

The Command warns everyone against reprisal attacks, harbouring suspects or spreading rumours that could provoke further violence. Report threats early; do not take the law into your own hands.