Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts’ Presentation was held at Hall C, TY Buratai Block, Abuja. There were three presentations made by the Subject Experts on Western Europe, Central America and Indian Sub-Continent.
The first presentation by Maj Gen GU Chibuisi subject expert on Western Europe discussed how ‘Spanish Police announced they have broken up the Sinaloa Cartel network and Seized 1.8 tons of Meth. On May 16, 2024, AP News reported that the Spanish police announced the dismantling of a major methamphetamine (Meth) distribution network linked to the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel following the seizure of 1.8 tons of the drug. Spain’s National Police described this as the largest Meth confiscation in the country’s history. Authorities reported five arrests: a Mexican national identified as the group’s leader, along with three Spaniards and one Romanian. Six properties in the Valencia region were raided during the operation. Officer Antonio Martínez praised the “eradication of this group,” which was believed to be attempting to establish a foothold in Spain. Martínez explained that the group used isolated houses in Valencia to store smuggled meth and employed vehicles with false bottoms to transport drugs to other European countries.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Maj Gen GU Chibuisi quoted that Nigeria with its huge population, faces significant challenges related to drug gangs and drug abuse. Several notable incidents of drug trafficking involving Nigerian nationals have been reported both within Nigeria and internationally. For instance, Business Day on 21 March 2023 reported that criminal networks from Nigeria, have been identified as dominating the drug smuggling activities along major corridors in West and North Africa, ruling with support from the Nigerian diaspora and a large network of drug couriers. Similarly, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on 31 March 2024, detained a 35-year-old lady, Chidinma Chinenye Agbazue after she was caught in Lagos, attempting to export 20 parcels of cannabis sativa weighing 10.70 kilograms to Doha, Qatar.
He recommended that the FGN should intensify efforts to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies through better training, equipment and international cooperation and also the NDLEA, NOA and other relevant agencies should intensify public awareness campaigns, aimed at changing societal attitudes on drug use, to include reducing the stigma associated with seeking help for addicts.
The second presentation by Brig Gen ED Idimah subject expert on Central America centered his presentation on how Ministry of Sustainable Development and Taiwan International Cooperation and Development fund host Closing Ceremony for Disaster Management. On May 13, The Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change and Taiwan international Cooperation and Development Fund (TAIWANICDF) held the closing ceremony for the Belize Interdepartmental Rapid Response Training, marking the successful completion of a three-week disaster management training in Taiwan. The training was conducted under the “Flood Warning Capacity Improvement for the Belize River Basin Project” implemented by the Governments of Belize and Taiwan.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria Brig Gen ED Idimah stressed out that, Disaster management is a critical aspect of ensuring public safety and security in Nigeria. Effective training is essential for building the capacity of disaster management professionals to respond to disasters effectively. The disaster management framework in Nigeria is primarily guided by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), established in 1999. NEMA is responsible for coordinating disaster management efforts at the national level and works in collaboration with state emergency management agencies. Despite the efforts of NEMA and state agencies, Nigeria faces several challenges in terms of existing systems and infrastructure for disaster management.
He recommended that the Federal Government of Nigeria should establish a national disaster management Institute to coordinate and standardize disaster management and training and also NEMA should devil a comprehensive training curriculum that includes community based disaster risk reduction and management
Lastly the third presentation by Brig Gen WD Nasiru subject expert on Indian Sub-Continent centered his presentation on how Heatwave Kills Eight in Bihar and two in Madhya Pradesh as temperature continue to Rise. Timesofindia.com reported that on 30 May 2024 an intense heatwave kills eight individuals in Bihar and two children in Madhya Pradesh as temperature continue to rise. On May 29, 2024, Bihar experienced extreme temperatures, with mercury levels reaching up to 440 C in various parts of the state, according to data from the India of Met Dept (IMD). The state’s disaster management department confirmed the deaths but noted that the exact cause remains uncertain as many families declined post-mortem examinations. A senior official from the State Disaster Management Department stated, “Only after receiving the autopsy reports will we be able to confirm the causes of death.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria Brig Gen WD Nasiru pointed that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on 18 May 2024, attributes the country’s current heatwave to the interaction between humid air masses from the Atlantic Ocean and dry dusty air masses blowing southwestward from the Sahara Desert. On 13 Feb 2024, NiMet predicted that Air temperatures will hit 41°C in the North and 39°C in the South with model Projections indicating temperatures to remain high. The agency warned of dehydration and heatstroke as the heat stress sets in. Temperature of 41°C is considered very high and dangerous which can lead to a medical emergencies. The effects of heat waves are complex and profound. They pose severe risks to human health, leading to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and those with preexisting health conditions, are particularly at risk.
He recommended that the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Environment should collaborate with State Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations to increase public awareness of the causes, impact, and prevention of heat-related illnesses and mitigation strategies to combat heat waves and also NIMET should develop a comprehensive early warning system specifically for heatwaves and disseminate early warnings through multiple channels, including SMS, social media, radio, and television.
