NDLEA Chairman stresses importance of training in combating drug trafficking

Stanley Ihedigbo

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has emphasized the crucial role of training in tackling the menace of drug trafficking.

According to the Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, the assertion was made at the closing ceremony of a two-week training program for NDLEA officers, focused on combating international drug trafficking, and sponsored by the German government.

Marwa explained that training is essential to enhance operational efficiency and effectively combat drug abuse .

The NDLEA has been collaborating with various organizations, including the Nigerian Navy, to receive support and training in its efforts to curb drug trafficking.

The training program, sponsored by the German government, demonstrates the international community’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to combat drug trafficking.

As the NDLEA continues to work tirelessly to address this issue, the importance of training and collaboration cannot be overstated.

The ceremony, was attended by the top management of the Agency and a team of German instructors led by a representative of the German embassy in Nigeria.

Marwa said: “To tackle the drug challenge, the number one priority, obviously, is the professionalism of the human resources, which you can only achieve through training. Unless personnel are properly equipped with training, they cannot do their job. That is the more reason we are emphasizing the training of our personnel.”

The two-week training organised by the German Federal Criminal Police Office, otherwise known as Bundeskriminalamnt (BKA) covered core areas including principles of crime scene investigations and training in West Africa Police Investigation System (WAPIS).

The 23 participants, drawn from various departments of the Agency, were engaged in classroom work, presentations and practical exercises for the duration of the programme.

The representative of the German embassy, Ms. Uduak Abasi Akpabio said: “The federal foreign office funding of this programme is part of the German government’s greater engagement in police reforms and security sector reform more generally. Our support reflects the German government’s commitment to fostering stability, especially as it pertains to addressing the menace of international drug trafficking.”

She further appreciated the work of the NDLEA which she described as “a critical pillar in safeguarding Nigeria’s stability, security and wellbeing of its citizens”, adding that “By investing in the capacity of these officers, you have strengthened not only Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking but also the global framework for combating this menace.”

While appreciating the German government’s gesture, Marwa said: “We appreciate deeply the gesture of supporting the NDLEA with the right training for combating international drug trafficking. It’s a collaborative effort now. Because the drug terrain is international.”

He noted that the canine unit supplied and funded by the Germans has been very effective in critical cases such as the discovery of the Captagon shipment in Lagos Port in 2021.

“To those who have been trained today, congratulations. You are quite lucky to receive this calibre of training from the BKA, one of the world’s most efficient institutions on criminal policing. You have to remember that German training in any respect is at its peak globally. Count yourselves lucky that you are beneficiaries of training from BKA and you have to take full advantage of it and let’s see it on the ground. We also, in time, take full advantage of this training to also train others in the skills that you have acquired.”

The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates to the participants.
The BKA liaison officer in Nigeria, Dominik Muller presented a donation of kits and resources for substance test to the agency, while the NDLEA also presented plaques and mementos to the trainers in appreciation of their efforts.