Felix Temitope, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has announced that the recent training and certification of NDLEA Marine Command officers in advanced diving techniques will significantly deter large shipments of cocaine to Nigeria.
During the presentation of the training report by the Agency’s Director of Seaports Operations, DCGN Omolade Faboyede, Marwa emphasized that this new capability sends a strong message to international drug cartels: their illicit consignments will have no hiding place on ships or vessels entering Nigeria.
The training, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), saw eight officers from four countries, including two from Nigeria, undergo certification in Bombinhas city, Brazil. The program was conducted in two phases, the first in November 2023 and the second in July 2024. Participating countries included Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, and Senegal.
The UNODC initiated the diving training to bolster the fight against drug trafficking and transnational crime activities. The second phase aimed to qualify professionals in public safety diving, enabling them to conduct ship hull searches and enforce laws to combat transnational drug trafficking effectively.
Marwa commended the two NDLEA officers for their exemplary performance during the training. He highlighted that their ability to perform underwater searches of ship hulls would discourage global drug networks from attempting to send large consignments to Nigeria. “Knowing full well that our men now have the capacity to search every nook and cranny of ships and vessels coming to Nigeria,” he said.
Marwa reiterated the Agency's commitment to staying ahead of drug cartels in skills and capabilities. He emphasized the importance of continuous training and the use of modern technological tools to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. “We will also continue to expose our officers, men, and women to trainings and the use of modern technological tools in our determined bid to keep our country safe,” he added.
Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, issued the statement from Abuja on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
