NEWS
NDLEA Moots Students’ Drug Testing Policy For Public Health Mgt
The objective of the mooted drug test policy for admission seekers and students at tertiary institutions in Nigeria is to support, not expel those struggling with substance abuse.
The Director of Media and Advocacy of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Femi Babafemi, made the clarifications on Tuesday when he appeared on Channels Television’s Morning Brief.
ALSO READ: NDLEA’s Public Education Takes On Substance Abuse In Pregnancy
Babafemi maintained that the NDLEA’s primary objective was to identify and provide help to individuals entangled in drug use.
In his words, “We’re treating this as a public health issue, not a crime, let me quickly put that in perspective.
“Whoever tests positive for drug use in that situation – that’s why we work with these institutions – we collaborate with them so that the people who test positive are not punished or expelled from the school.
“They are taken for treatment to wean (them) off these substances and also to get them reintegrated back to their classes, back to the academic pursuit.”
Babafemi explained that the agency’s approach would focus on early intervention, deterrence, counselling and treatment.
On the mechanics, he pointed out that, “When people know that they are likely to be tested when going to school as fresh students or returning students, there’s a level of deterrence. They’ll want to be careful, as they don’t want to be caught in the web.
“We are not pushing for them to be expelled from the school; it’s to enable authorities to detect them early and provide support to them. When they test positive, it is to detect them early and provide support for them.
“If they are detected early, it’s easier to treat at that point than to allow the situation to deteriorate to the point of addiction or dependence, which becomes complicated.”
He further noted that the agency had provided treatment and counselling services for those who tested positive.
“Perhaps some of these institutions have counseling and treatment centers. For those that don’t, we have 30 of our treatment counselling centres across the country, and we have three more coming up in the next couple of weeks. All of these are provided for people to get support and treatment.
“Apart from that, we also have a 24-hour call centre where we have our mental health centres, counsellors, clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrist doctors that provide these. Also, on the telephone, we have our toll-free helplines that people can always call and get the needed support.”
According to Babafemi the NDLEA already had authentic test kits that people can use in the comfort of their homes to see whether their kids or wards were abusing illicit substances.
“All of these we provide to ensure that students are not just tested and left or abandoned, they also get support, and even right on our test kit, we have our toll-free helplines for people to call in the comfort of their homes and get the needed support, guidance, and support for their loved ones that test positive.
“The cost of the test will be borne by the beneficiary of the service. We provide the service free of charge, but the kit is not free; it ranges between N5,000 and N10,000, depending on the type of kit being used,” he said.
Recall that the Commander NDLEA, Kwara State Command, Fatima Abiola-Popoola, had on Monday urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to make drug tests mandatory for admission into tertiary institutions.
She decried that substance abuse had been on the rise, particularly the females and in her opinion, this check would help address the situation.
NEWS
FCT Police Warn Motorists Against One-Way Driving, Reject Calls From VIPs
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has warned motorists against driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way, cautioning that influential connections or calls from senior police officers and government officials will not shield offenders from prosecution.
The Command said the practice, particularly around road construction sites, diversion points and restricted routes, poses serious risks to lives and property.
SEE ALSO: Ogun Police Win Public Safety Award as Ojajuni Emerges NUJ Golden Jubilee Ambassador
In a press statement issued on Monday, November 9, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the Command was concerned about the increasing disregard for traffic regulations by motorists who deliberately drive against traffic, ignore road signs and bypass designated diversions to avoid congestion.
Adeh stressed that no individual, regardless of status, position or connections, would be exempted from the consequences of violating traffic regulations.
She disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, had directed the Command’s Motor Traffic Department (MOTOPOL) and all Divisional Traffic Officers (DTOs) to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to intensify enforcement operations.
According to the statement, the directive includes the arrest and immediate prosecution of motorists caught driving against traffic or disobeying lawful traffic instructions.
The Commissioner also warned police officers involved in the enforcement exercise against exploiting the operation to extort motorists, stressing that any officer found engaging in such misconduct would face disciplinary action in line with existing police rules and regulations.
The Command urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic signs and follow instructions from authorised traffic officers, noting that saving a few minutes through reckless driving was not worth the risk of losing lives or damaging property.
It also called on residents to remain security-conscious and report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.
The Command provided the following emergency contact numbers for security-related reports: 08032003913 and 08061581938.
NEWS
FCT Police Chief Inspects Worship Centres, Commends Residents for Peaceful Conduct
The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, has inspected security deployments at churches across the territory, urging officers to maintain professionalism and vigilance during religious activities.
The inspection was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.
Sanusi conducted the inspection on November 8, 2026, to assess the operational readiness of personnel deployed to worship centres and evaluate security arrangements for residents and worshippers.
SEE ALSO: October 1 Protests: FCT Police Call For Increased Vigilance Among Residents
The exercise followed a similar inspection of mosques across the FCT on Friday, November 6, as the Command sustained efforts to strengthen security around religious centres.
During the visits, the police commissioner charged officers to remain professional and responsive in the discharge of their duties.
He also commended residents for their peaceful and orderly conduct following mosque and church services, noting that public cooperation remained essential to maintaining security and public order across the territory.
The commissioner urged residents to continue cooperating with the police and other law enforcement agencies, remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest police station.
He further encouraged residents to utilise the Command’s emergency lines, 08032003913 and 08061581938, to report security concerns.
Adeh said the Command’s Public Relations Office remained open and accessible to members of the public for enquiries, complaints, information and other security-related matters.
The FCT Police Command reiterated its commitment to protecting residents and worshippers and maintaining security across the Federal Capital Territory.
NEWS
2027: Shettima Arrives in Uyo for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development was disclosed on Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
Akwa Ibom occupies a strategic position in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with major federal investments expected to strengthen infrastructure and economic activities across the state.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Lafia to Rally Support for Tinubu’s Re-election
One of the major projects is the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, which has an approximately 82.8-kilometre stretch passing through Akwa Ibom.
The project, according to the statement, “promises improved connectivity, expanded trade, greater investment and new economic opportunities for communities across the region.”
Beyond infrastructure, the administration’s interventions in education, agriculture, healthcare, youth empowerment and social protection are also designed to improve livelihoods and broaden economic participation.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) is among the initiatives highlighted, complementing Governor Umo Eno’s investments in roads, aviation, tourism and human capital development.
The statement noted that the Uyo rally provides “another opportunity to strengthen the APC’s growing political presence in the South-South and make the case for continuity in 2027.”





