Former DG charges media to highlight dangers of drug abuse on youths - ITREALMS

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Former Director General and member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Eradication of Drug Abuse, Otunba Lanre Ipinmisho, has enjoined the media to give more publicity to the dangers posed youth's involvements in drug abuse, reports ITREALMS.

Otunba Ipinmisho also charged everyone to face the reality and create more awareness posed by illicit drug abuse among youths.

Abba Kyari, 4 others arrested over drug trafficking - ITREALMS

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari and four other police officers for their involvement in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, reports ITREALMS.

DCP Abba Kyari, arrested over drug deals

NPF also described their involvement in the tampering with narcotic exhibits, official corruption and sundry unprofessional infractions as discreditable, unethical, and unprofessional conduct.

NPF in a press statement available to ITREALMS and electronically signed by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer (DPPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Monday afternoon, said the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Usman Alkali Baba had ordered immediate transfer of case to NDLEA, urging NDLEA to investigate indicted officers of the agency.

IGP also decried official corruption and tampering with exhibits in a case of illicit drug trafficking involving a perpetual transnational drug cartel.

As said by Adejobi, the arrest of the officers was sequel to pieces of information received from the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on 10th February, 2022.

In line with standard administrative procedure of the Force, he said IGP ordered a high-level, discreet, and in-house investigation into the allegations.

According to him, “The interim investigations report revealed that two (2) international drug couriers identified as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus, both males, were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on the 19th of January, 2022 upon their arrival from Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET917.

“The arrest led to the recovery of substantial quantity of powdery substance suspected to be cocaine from the two narcotic couriers. The operation which was intelligence-driven, was undertaken by a Unit of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT),” he said.

Equally, he said, that though the case and the two suspects were subsequently transferred to the NDLEA on the 25th January, 2022, the findings of the in-house investigation ordered by the Inspector General of Police established reasonable grounds for strong suspicion that the IRT officers involved in the operation could have been involved in some underhand and unprofessional dealings as well as official corruption which compromised ethical standards in their dealings with the suspects and exhibits recovered.

“Beyond this, the Police investigation also established that the international narcotics cartel involved in this case have strong ties with some officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu who are on their pay roll. The two arrested drug couriers confirmed that the modus is for the transnational drug barons to conspire with the NDLEA officers on duty and send them their pre-boarding photographs for identification, seamless clearance, and unhindered passage out of the airport with the narcotics being trafficked.

“The two arrested drug couriers also confirmed that they have been enjoying this relationship with the NDLEA officers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport since 2021 and had in this instant case of 19th January, 2022, been identified and cleared by the NDLEA officers as customary, having received their pre-departure photographs and other details prior to their arrival in Enugu, and were on their way out with the narcotics when they were apprehended by the Police.

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Abba Kyari, 3 others arrested over drug trafficking - ITREALMS

“The Police investigations report also indicted DCP Abba Kyari, who had been on suspension for his alleged involvement in a different fraud case being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), for complicity in the allegation of official corruption, tampering with narcotics exhibit and sundry unprofessional conducts that negate the standard administrative and investigative protocols of the Force as well as extant criminal laws. It is to be emphasised that DCP Abba Kyari’s involvement in these allegation occurred while his suspension from service was subsisting.

“On the strength of the findings of the in-house Police Investigation Panel, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered the immediate arrest and transfer of all the indicted police officers to the NDLEA authorities for conclusive investigation, while appropriate disciplinary actions are also being initiated against them by the Force leadership. 

"The concerned officers include DCP Abba Kyari, ACP Sunday Ubuah, ASP Bawa James, ASP John Umoru (at large), Inspectors Simon Agrigba and John Nuhu. They have all been, accordingly, handed over today 14th February, 2022 to the NDLEA authorities.

“In so doing, IGP also formally requested that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency should ensure the identification, arrest and investigation of the agency’s officers who have also been found to be colluding with the international drug cartel involved in this case towards advancing the anti-narcotics agenda of the federal Government.”

IGP, Adejobi said assured the public of his administration’s commitment to upholding the tenets and values of policing in line with the agenda of ethical regeneration, restoration of professional standard, enhancement of the anti-corruption drive, respect for the rule of law and inter-agency collaboration in the drive to stabilise the internal security order of the country.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

Wanted! DCP Abba Kyari, he’s drug dealer says NDLEA - ITREALMS

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari wanted over drug trafficking worth millions of Naira and having failed to honour their official invitation, reports ITREALMS.

*Suspended DCP Abba Kyari and NDLEA flag

“Having failed to honour the official invitation, NDLEA has no option but to declare DCP Abba Kyari of the Nigerian Police WANTED, right from this very moment,” declared the Director, Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, at the agency National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, February 14, 2022 during a press conference.

Nigerian youths and surging drug culture

Weekend Sermon@ITREALMS:

One hit is too much and a thousand is not enough - Austin Okere

Photo by Timothy Hale; Source: Flickr

I feel deeply compelled to write about this growing phenomenon of drugs and our youths. Much as I could join in playing the proverbial ostrich and draw false comfort by burying my head in the sand, I choose to call it out the way it is. This compulsion is deepened by the recent happenings in our promising Youth Music scene, with the deaths of three young people in just five days in Lagos, Nigeria.

RETURN TO THE 60’s DRUG & POP CULTURE?

It seems that we are speedily careening into the crazy drug & pop culture of the sixties fueled by a newfound liberalism, epitomized by Bands such as the Beetles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, and such icons as Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, Fela Kuti et al.

In more recent climes, there have been notable drug casualties; Whitney Houston, more lovingly referred to as ‘the voice’ for her incredible talent was found dead in her bath at the Beverly Hilton Hotel after a cocaine overdose. Ironically, this happened on the eve of the Grammy Awards at the same hotel, she was just 48 years old. Her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, just 22, died a few months later while in hospice care. She too was found unresponsive in a bathtub in her Georgia home after a drug overdose.

41-year-old Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington, who had spoken about his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction was found dead apparently by suicide, by an employee in his private residence. His close friend, singer Chris Cornell also killed himself just before his 53rd birthday. Purple Rain singer, Roger Nelson, best known as Prince died of an opioid overdose in an elevator at his Paisley Park compound in Minnesota, aged just 59.

There are scores of others, not nearly as popular, but nonetheless part of the growing statistics of those who have succumbed to the ugly scourge of hard drugs.

DRUGS ALWAYS HAVE THE SUPERIOR POWE OF ADDICTION

“One hit is too much and a thousand is not enough” these were the words of a pretty, young woman miraculous saved from the clutches of drug addiction and featured on the Jubilee edition of Turning Point, a testimonial TV series. Undoubtedly, one of the very lucky few. She just wanted to try it out of curiosity and experimentation; and then again and again until it became a controlling habit.

Once you yield, you yield total control. Drugs always have the superior power of addiction, as has been proven time and again. There is a hard drug variety called crystal meth, where just one hit gets you totally hooked and has an accelerated path to mental destruction and painful death. As if this is not bad enough, fentanyl is said to be far worse, and 50 times more potent than heroin.

DRUGS COULD KILL THE HUGE POTENTIAL OF MILLENNIALS

I see millennials as great architects of our future. That fearless generation at ease with technology & entrepreneurship, and fostering relationships across all divides regardless of race, nationality or class.

It is this same fearless adventurism that makes them the perfect target for hard drug experimentation and eventual dependency. This is not helped by the so-called mythical concept of a 'legal high' and other such deceptive tags on hard drugs; whether they be cannabis or crystal meth. They all have the same destructive potential.

The mulling of legalizing marijuana in many countries in the developed world bodes a potential ill wind. It could massively affect our youths and destroy our collective future.

DO NOT BE IN A RUSH TO SEND OFF YOUR KIDS

We need to be a bit skeptical about sending children away from our sphere of influence too early in their development. Should there be a need, It should be when they have attained sufficient maturity to stand on their own and have become comfortable in their own skins.

Many children sent overseas at great financial sacrifice by their parents for 'superior' education have run into trouble under the influence. Many have been rusticated from their schools with their parents none the wiser. They keep carrying on as if they are still in school, sinking deeper and deeper into bad company and ill influence until it is virtually too late for redemption.

It is expedient to insist on the school report of your ward detailing their progress in learning and character, and their current student status before wiring off next term’s fees. This is not a task to be delegated.

WATCH OUT! THE SCOURGE IS HERE TOO

On a note of caution, however, it is not only in these climes of relative wealth that drug abuse among the youth is rampant. The scourge has also become pervasive in erstwhile transit countries on the west coast of Africa. Children as young as in secondary schools (aged 16 years and below) have free access to drugs and do use them frequently to the blissful ignorance of parents and guardians. Youth Parties and Concerts tend to be high indulgent centers.

BEWARE OF OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS TOO

The amount of "ordinary looking" over the counter drugs that kids are popping to alter moods is shocking. The popular Anna Nicole Smith died from a prescription drug overdose at the Hardrock Hotel in Hollywood. Legendary king of pop, Michael Jackson, suffered the same fate.

A FALSE SENSE OF INVINCIBILITY

There is, unfortunately, a sense of invincibility or false confidence about these kids that it cannot happen to me, notwithstanding the contrary evidence out there. How do we help our youth and especially the millennials guard against this scourge?

Perhaps we should be closer to our children and note any changes in behaviour that should alarm us. Talk with them regarding their friends, and make every effort to meet them. Create an environment where they can come to us in times of perplexity and the need to talk to someone. If we abdicate this responsibility, the vacuum created will be occupied by other influences, not the least peer pressure.

FRIENDSHIP WITH OUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE COMPLEMENTED BY PARENTING

We need to create time to play our parental roles and imbue into our children a moral compass with which they can properly navigate their way in life. Show by example rather than just talking; because children are extremely perceptive and tend to more easily copy our vices than following our advice.

We should all join hands to take drastic steps to tackle this problem before it consumes our children and our future. America has taken a step by declaring an emergency on this opioid crisis.

Courtesy: Austin Okere is the Founder of CWG Plc & Entrepreneur in Residence at CBS, New York. Austin also serves on the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Innovation and Intrapreneurship and on the Advisory Board of the Global Business School Network based in Washington DC.

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