News
Diasporan group asks urgent action, backs state police
A diaspora group, under the auspices of the Plateau State Association USA, Inc., has called for urgent action in tackling attacks and killing of innocent people.
In a statement by the group’s national president, Barth Shepkong, on Friday.
The group also called for comprehensive security reform, including the establishment of a state police force.
“The current security structure is no longer sufficient to address localised and evolving threats.
“Strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, including state policing, is essential,” it said.
The group, which strongly condemned the recent killings in the state, described the violence as “unacceptable and a grave concern requiring immediate and coordinated action”.
It said that the recurring nature of these attacks highlights serious gaps in prevention, response and overall security coordination.
“The continued loss of innocent lives under recurring circumstances underscores the urgent need for more proactive, coordinated and effective security measures.”
PSA-USA called on the President Bola Tinubu-led government to take immediate and decisive steps to address the deteriorating security situation in the state.
“The protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of government.
“We urge the President and the federal government to act with urgency and resolve to safeguard the lives of citizens in Plateau state,” it said.
The association stated that repeated incidents of violence, especially where warning signs are evident, must be met with swift and effective intervention.
“Where early warning signs exist, they must be matched with early and effective action,” the group said.
PSA-USA explained that those responsible for these acts of violence must be held accountable.
“Those responsible for these attacks must be identified, arrested and prosecuted without delay. Accountability is essential to breaking this cycle of violence,” it said.
It also called on critical stakeholders in Plateau state, including religious leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies, state lawmakers and members of the National Assembly, to act with urgency and take collective responsibility for protecting the lives and property of the people they represent.
“This is a moment for leadership. All stakeholders must act decisively to protect lives and restore public confidence in the system,” it said.
The association warned that sustained inaction or delayed responses risk undermining public trust and further endangering communities, noting that
“sustained and coordinated action is critical to restoring public trust and ensuring lasting stability.”
As a diaspora organisation with deep ties to Plateau communities, PSA-USA reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for sustainable security solutions and accountable governance.
“PSA-USA stands in solidarity with the governor and the peace-loving people of Plateau State, particularly those directly impacted in the affected communities, and reiterates the urgent need for immediate and sustained efforts to prevent further loss of life.
“The protection of human life is the first duty of government—and it must not fail,” it said.
The PSA-USA is a non-profit, non-political and non-religious organisation that unites Plateau indigenes in the U.S. to support education, healthcare and socio-economic development initiatives for underserved communities in the state.
(NAN)
Business
NDLEA Secures 974 Drug Convictions in Three Months as 11 Drug Kingpins Receive 254 Years’ Jail Term
BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major enforcement milestone, securing 974 convictions for drug-related offences across Nigeria within the first quarter of 2026. The convictions, achieved between January and March, reflect an intensified nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks and their collaborators.
No fewer than 974 offenders have been convicted and sentenced to various jail terms including 11 drug kingpins who bagged 254 years imprisonment in the first quarter of 2026 as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) ramped up the arrest, prosecution and forfeiture of the assets of drug traffickers and their collaborators across the country.
Among the 974 drug traffickers convicted between January and March, 899 of them are male and 75 females, while a further breakdown of the conviction figure shows that 265 were secured in January, 316 in February and 393 in March.
Top on the list of the 11 drug kingpins who were successfully prosecuted and convicted within the period include a notorious Italy-based 42-year-old businessman, Adegbite Solomon (a.k.a Obama) who was arraigned on 15-count charge before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court Lagos in suit number: FHC/L/851C/2025. Delivering his ruling on the matter on 18th March, Justice Kakaki convicted the repeat offender on all 15 counts and sentenced him to a total of 130 years in prison.
Specifically, Justice Kakaki sentenced Adegbite to 15 years’ imprisonment on count 1; 15 years on count 2; 15 years on count 3; 15 years on count 4; 15 years on count 5; 15 years on count 6; 10 years on count 7; four years on count 8; four years on count 9; four years on count 10; four years on count 11; four years on count 12; and 10 years on count 15. While the prison sentence is to run concurrently, the trial judge also ordered the revocation of the convict’s pharmacy license and the forfeiture of two branches of his pharmacy store as well as the forfeiture of funds in his three bank accounts to the Federal Government, among others.
Another top drug kingpin sentenced to long years in prison in the first quarter of the year is 32-year-old Ridwan Animashaun who was arraigned by NDLEA before Justice Nkenoye Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo state in charge number: FHC/IB/97C/2025. In her judgment delivered on 26th February 2026, Justice Maha convicted and sentenced Animashaun to 25 calendar years for drug trafficking.
The convict was first convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment for a similar offence on 15th July 2022 by Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court following his arrest by NDLEA along Lagos/Ibadan expressway on 27th March 2022.
Two other convicts who bagged long years imprisonment are: Rauf Asogba, 28, and Seun Olaniyi, 24, who were convicted and sentenced to 17 years in jail each by Justice Abiodun Jordan Adeyemi of the Federal High Court Abeokuta, Ogun state on 28th January 2026 after NDLEA arrested and charged them to court for trafficking 1,779 kilograms of skunk in suit number: FHC/AB/160C/2025.
Another set of two convicts got 15 years imprisonment each. They are: 54-year-old Jonathan Nuhu (a.k.a Doctor) who was convicted by Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Kano, Kano state on 17th March 2026 following his arraignment by NDLEA in charge: FHC/KN/CR/96/2023, and 40-year-old Idris Yusuf who was sentenced on 31st March 2026 by Justice Fatima Murtala Nyako of the Federal High Court, Damaturu, Yobe in suit number FHC/CR/6/21, in addition to another eight years sentence for a similar case brought against Yusuf by NDLEA in charge number FHC/CR/DM/16/24.
Other convicts who got seven years imprisonment each for drug trafficking offences in parts of the country include: Godday Obizuo in FHC/AK/64C/2024; Asabe Abubakar in FHC/BAU/CR/16/2026; Godwin Peter, Asuquo Christian and Olabode Sunday in FHC/AD/CR/66/2024.
In his reaction to the conviction of the drug offenders, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) described the sentencing of the 11 drug kingpins to a combined 254 years in prison as a watershed moment in the country’s war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
He noted that the conviction of 974 offenders between January and March 2026 sends an unambiguous message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for those who trade in human lives and derive pleasure in destroying the lives of the nation’s youth.
According to him, “Securing 974 convictions in just three months is a testament to the relentless spirit of our officers and the thinning patience of the Nigerian state toward drug merchants. To the 11 kingpins who thought they were untouchable, their 254-year collective residency in correctional centres is a firm reminder that the long arm of the law has finally caught up with their greed.”
Marwa commended the Judiciary for the accelerated hearing of the cases, noting that swift justice is the most potent deterrent. To officers, men and women of the Agency, he said
“Your bravery in the face of danger is yielding fruit. We will continue to prioritize your welfare and provide the tools needed to stay ahead of these criminal syndicates.”
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, adding that “these victories belong to the citizens who provide the intelligence that fuels our operations.”
The post NDLEA Secures 974 Drug Convictions in Three Months as 11 Drug Kingpins Receive 254 Years’ Jail Term appeared first on Business Today NG.
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