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Stakeholders in Plateau Central Zone Tackle Drug Abuse, Call for Stronger Governance Response

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PANKSHIN Drug Abuse

A one-day workshop on the Impact of Drug Abuse on Local Governance was held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at MNS Hotel, Pankshin, bringing together critical stakeholders to deliberate on the growing menace of substance abuse and its far-reaching effects on governance, security, and community development in Plateau State.

The event, organized by the Sound Minds Medical and Rehabilitation Initiative (SOMMRI) in collaboration with the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, followed a similar session in the southern zone and is part of a series covering all senatorial zones of the state.

Participants included members of the Plateau Youth Council (PYC), security agencies, local government chairmen, directors of primary health care and social services, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community representatives. Proceedings began with the administration of questionnaires to generate data that will inform state policies on prevention and rehabilitation.

Experts Warn of Health and Social Consequences

Prof. Nwoga Charles of the University of Jos highlighted the medical dangers, noting that while substances like cannabis, tramadol, and codeine may give a temporary high, they leave lasting damage to the brain, lungs, heart, and immune system.

“Substance abuse destabilizes mental health, drains motivation, and disrupts relationships, trapping young people in cycles of addiction and societal decline,” he said.

Clinical Psychologist Mafai Dauboyi stressed the need to address root causes.

“People use drugs for a reason, but the consequences are devastating. Poor family management, academic stress, and lack of monitoring create openings. However, positive relationships, coping skills, and a sense of purpose can shield our youth,” he explained.

Facilitator Ndak Zuhumnan Andarawus (Nurse Kizito) called for collective action.

“The stakeholders here are enough to end drug syndicates if we unite. Parents must know their children’s friends, schools should maintain drug testing, and communities must block supply chains. With psychoeducation and government support, the future can be secured,” he urged.

Local Government Leaders Call for Sustainability

Deputy council chairpersons emphasized the need for consistency and grassroots involvement.

  • Hon. Mrs. Grace Lapnen Tomwat, Deputy Chairman of Kanke LGA, said:

    “This workshop is very timely, and I would love to see it held regularly, even in our churches, mosques, and communities. Many of our youths are deeply entangled in drug abuse, which is destroying their education and future. Beyond recreational use, some also become addicted to prescribed drugs after illness, and that is equally worrying. We really appreciate this effort and want it sustained.”

  • Hon. Lawal Yakwen Nuhu, Deputy Chairman of Mangu LGA, commended the inclusiveness of the forum:

    “The programme is very positive because it brought together youths, religious leaders, and traditional councils—the very people who can help fight this menace. Drug abuse is rising in our communities, disrupting education and worsening insecurity, as many see drugs as an escape from hardship. With more initiatives like this, we can drastically reduce the problem and restore hope to our youths.”

Traditional Rulers Decry Weak Structures

Traditional rulers voiced frustration over weak enforcement and lack of empowerment.

  • The Pankyan District Head lamented that drug distributors are often released due to interference:“Some even operate with official registrations. Until traditional rulers are empowered, our ability to fight this menace remains limited.”
  • Bala Makkah, District Head of Chip, added:“No parent desires a child destroyed, yet social media worsens exposure. We are ready to partner with government once a strong law is passed. It is a shame Plateau still lacks rehabilitation centres.”
  • Kupshak Goma, District Head of Amper, stressed synergy:“Without collaboration between traditional councils and security agencies, our efforts will remain fragmented.”
  • Idris Shehu, District Head of Kanam, called for youth engagement:“Idleness fuels drug use. Reviving debates, quizzes, and cultural events will channel youthful energy into positive growth.”

Youths Demand Grassroots Action

Young leaders insisted that the drug trade is becoming normalized.

  • Ahmed Abdullahi Kantana, Deputy KYC Chair (Kanam), said:“In the past, drugs were hidden, but now they are sold openly, even in cattle markets. Plateau ranks among the highest states in drug use—this must stop.”
  • Mrs. Firapmun Zacharia of the NCWS, Bokkos, noted the burden on families:“Women bear the heaviest brunt. Some harmful substances even carry NAFDAC approval, confusing families. This campaign must reach every local government.”
  • Tromhan Yusuf Iliya from Gindiri advocated for accessibility:“Rehabilitation should be affordable and available in every local government, alongside stronger school-based prevention.”

Religious Leaders Call for Moral Revival

Faith leaders urged the integration of spiritual guidance in policy responses.

  • Alh. Hudu Ibrahim, JNI Chairman, Mangu, stated:“Our holy books condemn addiction, yet leaders are sidelined. If laws combine with spiritual guidance, we will achieve better results. We must return to God.”
  • Catechist Yeyek Amos, CAN Assistant Secretary, Pankshin, warned:“Neglecting children today means arming tomorrow’s criminals. Many schools lack qualified religious instructors, leaving them vulnerable. If the government delays, the consequences in ten years will be dire.”

Security and Other Stakeholders Stress Law Enforcement

Security operatives linked drug abuse to rising crime.

“Many youths under the influence commit acts with no restraint. This workshop is timely as it empowers parents and communities while complementing government measures like compulsory drug testing in schools,” a representative said.

Other participants called for clear roles for security and traditional councils, stronger NDLEA presence across LGAs, continuity in government policies, and strict enforcement of by-laws. They also warned against collusion between security operatives and drug dealers, stressing that substance abuse goes beyond illicit drugs to include misuse of prescription medicines.

Path Forward

The workshop ended with a consensus that tackling drug abuse requires a multi-sectoral approach combining health, security, education, community, and faith-based efforts. Participants urged government to strengthen policies, establish rehabilitation centres, and empower traditional institutions, while communities play their role in prevention and monitoring.

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The running list: major tech layoffs in 2026 where employers cited AI

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Oracle disclosed Monday that it has reduced its workforce by 21,000 employees over the past 12 months, a decline of 13%, which means more cuts than was previously known, including jobs eliminated because of AI. “The adoption and deployment of AI technologies across our operations have resulted, and may continue to result, in reductions to our workforce,” the company said in an annual financial regulatory filing.

The revelation puts new numbers to what feels to many in the tech industry like an epidemic: companies reporting record revenues while simultaneously culling their workforces, pointing to AI as both the engine of growth and the reason for the cuts. Tech layoffs hit their highest single month in years in May, and AI was the most-cited reason, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

We recently wrote about why that rationale is something companies may want to rethink, not least because for many of these companies, the headcount they’re now cutting was hired during the pandemic hiring surge, raising questions about what’s really going on. Below, a running look — in reverse chronological order — at the bigger tech companies that have announced significant layoffs this year with AI as a stated factor.


GitLab — June 3, 2026. In one of the most recent cuts on this list, GitLab laid off roughly 350 workers, about 14% of its staff, to fund AI infrastructure investment and handle surging traffic from AI workflows. CEO Bill Staples said agentic workloads are “pushing competitors to the brink” and that the company had begun a “generational rebuild” of its core infrastructure to support what he called 100x growth requirements. GitLab is exiting 22 countries, flattening management layers, and partnering with an unspecified AI lab to rebuild its platform for agent-scale workloads. The company reported first-quarter revenue of $264 million, up 23% year-over-year, and expects to incur $30 to $35 million in restructuring costs.

Google — ongoing through May. Alphabet’s Google has quietly cut employees across its Cloud division, including its Threat Intelligence Group and Mandiant-linked cybersecurity staff, even as Cloud revenue grew 63% to exceed $20 billion for the first time and its backlog nearly doubled to over $460 billion. Over the past year, Google has cut more than a third of the managers overseeing small teams — 35% fewer managers with fewer direct reports. Unlike most companies on this list, Google has never announced a single overall number — the cuts have come through a rolling performance review process, a voluntary buyout program, and structural reorganizations, with outside estimates putting the 2026 total at between 1,500 and 3,000+ engineers.

Intuit — May 20, 2026. Intuit announced plans to eliminate roughly 3,000 jobs — about 17% of its total workforce — in a restructuring centered on reducing complexity and reallocating resources toward AI. CEO Sasan Goodarzi reportedly told staff the company is reducing complexity and simplifying the structure, so it can deliver better products.

Meta — May 20-21, 2026. Meta laid off about 8,000 employees, roughly 10% of its workforce, while moving about 7,000 employees into new AI-focused roles (that they reportedly hate). Zuckerberg told staff the cuts were necessary because “success isn’t a given” in AI.

Cisco — May 14, 2026. Cisco announced it’s cutting nearly 4,000 jobs, about 5% of its workforce, despite reporting better-than-expected profit and revenue. CFO Mark Patterson said: “This was really not a savings-driven restructure… this is more [about] realigning … resources around silicon, optics, security and AI.”

Cloudflare — May 7-8, 2026. Cloudflare cut about 20% of its workforce (1,100 people), reporting quarterly revenue of $639.8 million, up 34% year-over-year and the highest single quarter in company history. CEO Matthew Prince wrote that “the vast majority of those we laid off last week were measurers” — middle management, finance, legal, internal auditing, and revenue recognition.

General Motors — May 12, 2026. GM eliminated 500 to 600 jobs, largely in IT roles in Austin, Texas, and Warren, Michigan, saying it was reevaluating its workforce needs amid uncertain market conditions. A person familiar with the cuts told CNBC that AI played a role in the decision but that it wasn’t the only reason. GM’s statement said it was “transforming its Information Technology organization to better position the company for the future.” Despite the cuts, the company still had roughly 80 open IT positions, including roles in AI, motorsports, and autonomous vehicles.

Coinbase — May 5, 2026. The crypto exchange said it was cutting about 700 employees, or 14% of its staff, as part of a restructuring aimed at addressing market volatility and increasing AI efficiency. The company flattened its organizational structure to five layers below the CEO and COO, and said it would experiment with “one-person teams” combining engineering, design, and product roles. CEO Brian Armstrong wrote that AI had changed the pace of work dramatically — “engineers use AI to ship in days what used to take a team weeks” — and that the company needed to “leverage AI across every facet of our jobs.”

PayPal — May 5, 2026. PayPal announced plans to cut around 20% of its workforce over the next two to three years — north of 4,500 jobs — as part of a turnaround strategy centered on AI adoption and organizational simplification. CEO Enrique Lores told investors the company would “aggressively adopt AI” in its development processes and formed a new “AI transformation and simplification” team reporting directly to him, tasked with redesigning the company’s processes “function by function.” Lores framed the cuts as removing organizational layers, and said AI would extend well beyond coding into customer service, support operations, and risk management.

Microsoft — April-May 2026. Microsoft offered buyouts structured as voluntary separations, without disclosing how many employees these would impact. CFO Amy Hood said total headcount declined year-over-year in fiscal Q3, and is expected to keep declining as the company focuses on “building high-performing teams that operate with pace and agility” amid rising AI investment.

Snap — April 16, 2026. Snap cut roughly 16% of its global workforce — about 1,000 full-time employees — and closed more than 300 open roles, with CEO Evan Spiegel citing AI advancements as a key driver. “Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence enable our teams to reduce repetitive work, increase velocity, and better support our community, partners, and advertisers,” Spiegel wrote in a memo filed with the SEC. The company said it had already seen small squads using AI tools to drive progress across Snapchat+, ad platform performance, and infrastructure efficiency.

IBM — rolling through 2026. Between Q4 2025 cuts and April 2026 Red Hat engineering reductions, estimates range from 3,000 to 9,000 U.S. positions eliminated, bringing IBM’s cumulative total since September 2024 above 15,000. Bloomberg reported IBM plans to triple its U.S. entry-level hiring for AI and hybrid-cloud roles, even as roughly 200 HR positions were replaced by AI agents. An IBM spokesperson described the Q4 2025 round as a routine rebalancing affecting “a low single-digit percentage” of its global workforce.

Atlassian — March 11, 2026. Atlassian cut about 1,600 jobs (10% of its workforce) to “rebalance” toward AI and enterprise sales, even as shares rose nearly 2% on the news. CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes said: “Our approach is not ‘AI replaces people.’ But it would be disingenuous to pretend AI doesn’t change the mix of skills we need or the number of roles required in certain areas. It does.”

Dell — Jan 30 (though disclosed in March 2026). Dell’s total workforce fell about 10% in fiscal 2026 — roughly 11,000 jobs — to about 97,000 employees from 108,000 a year earlier, with $569 million spent on severance. The cuts came as Dell projected its AI-optimized server revenue could double in fiscal 2027.

Oracle — March 5-31, 2026. As noted above, Oracle began telling employees it would be cutting thousands of jobs via terminal emails. The cuts came even as Oracle posted $3.7 billion in quarterly net income, up 27% year-over-year, with remaining performance obligations up 325% to $553 billion — savings redirected toward AI data centers. The cuts that would later total 21,000 over 12 months, as Oracle disclosed in its June 22 annual filing.

Block — February 26-27, 2026. Jack Dorsey’s Block cut 4,000 jobs — nearly half its workforce, down to under 6,000 from over 10,000. Dorsey wrote on X: “We’re already seeing that the intelligence tools we’re creating and using, paired with smaller and flatter teams, are enabling a new way of working which fundamentally changes what it means to build and run a company.” He added: “I think most companies are late. Within the next year, I believe the majority of companies will reach the same conclusion and make similar structural changes.”

Salesforce — February 10, 2026. Salesforce laid off fewer than 1,000 employees across marketing, product management, data analytics, and its Agentforce AI unit. The company told Fortune, “Because of the benefits and efficiencies of Agentforce, we’ve seen the number of support cases we handle decline and we no longer need to actively backfill support engineer roles.” This followed an earlier cut of about 4,000 customer-support roles, shrinking that team from roughly 9,000 to 5,000, with CEO Marc Benioff saying the company needed “less heads” because AI agents handle the work.

Amazon — January 28, 2026. Amazon cut 16,000 corporate jobs, following 14,000 cuts in October 2025 — about 9% of its corporate workforce in three months. The company said it was part of “strengthen[ing] our organization by reducing layers, increasing ownership, and removing bureaucracy.” CEO Andy Jassy had said in June 2025 that, “As we roll out more generative AI and agents, it should change the way our work is done. We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today… in the next few years, we expect that this will reduce our total corporate workforce as we get efficiency gains from using AI extensively across the company.”

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“Bandits operating freely, but FG deploying security forces to arrest Sowore” – Atiku’s aide

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Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity, questioning the deployment of security personnel in relation to Omoyele Sowore while communities continue to face attacks from bandits and terrorists.

In a statement posted on his social media page, Ibe lamented the killing of at least 18 residents in Kawel village, Mushere district of Bokkos LGA of Plateau state.

He said several other residents sustained injuries during the late-night attack. According to Ibe, there has been little official response to the incident since it occurred.

“Following Sunday, no less than 18 innocent citizens were killed and several others injured following a late-night attack on Kawel village in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State,” he said.

“Ever since, mum has been the word. No arrests. No response. No empathy. They’ve carried on as if human lives have no value in our land,” he added.

Ibe contrasted the government’s response to the attack with the deployment of security personnel in connection with Sowore.

“And today, they’re deploying security forces because their favourite customer, Omoyele Sowore must be confined to Kuje Prison for daring to speak truth to power,” he said.

Ibe questioned why security resources were not being directed towards areas affected by terrorism and banditry.

“We major in minors while insecurity rules the land. Why can’t these security forces be deployed to vulnerable parts of the country where citizens are at the mercy of terrorists and bandits instead of using security personnel meant to protect Nigerians to intimidate them?” he asked.

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