The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has enhanced its capabilities to combat drug trafficking with the recent training of its officers abroad. Chairman Brig. Gen.
Buba Marwa (retd.) expressed confidence that the agency’s improved skills will deter global drug networks from shipping large consignments of cocaine into Nigeria.
Two NDLEA Marine Command officers underwent certification training in Brazil, sponsored by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
The training focused on diving techniques, enabling officers to search ship hulls and vessels more effectively.
“Their (officers’) new ability to dive into the sea to search ship hulls will no doubt discourage global drug networks from attempting to send any large consignment to Nigeria, knowing full well that our men now can search every nook and cranny of ships and vessels coming to Nigeria, ” Marwa said.
According to the statement, two officers of the NDLEA Marine Command were among eight officers selected from four countries, by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to undergo a certification training in Bombinhas City, Brazil, in two phases – first in November 2023 and then July 2024.
Marwa was quoted as saying, “The recent training and certification of officers of the Marine Command of the NDLEA in basic diving, advanced open-water diving and full-face mask diving will discourage large shipments of cocaine to Nigeria.”
Babafemi, quoting UNODC, said the diving training was initiated to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking and transnational crime activities for the four countries: Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria and Senegal.
“The second phase of the training was to qualify professionals certified in basic and advanced diving in public safety diving to conduct ship hull searches, enforce the law and ensure public safety in combating transnational drug trafficking,” he added.
