NDLEA Boosts Anti-Cocaine Measures With New Diving Training

Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has announced that the recent diving training for the agency’s Marine Command officers will help curb the large-scale shipment of cocaine into Nigeria.

Marwa made this statement upon receiving the training report from the Agency’s Director of Seaports Operations, Deputy Commander General of Narcotics (DCGN), Omolade Faboyede.

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This announcement was detailed in a statement by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He emphasized that this new capability will deter international drug cartels from attempting to conceal their illicit shipments on any vessels bound for Nigeria.

The reports gathered that the officers have completed basic diving, advanced open water diving, and full-face mask diving training.

NAN also notes that eight officers, including two from Nigeria, were selected by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for certification training in Bombinhas, Brazil, conducted in two phases in November 2023 and July 2024.

According to the UNODC, this training aims to enhance the fight against drug trafficking and transnational crime in four countries: Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, and Senegal.

The second phase of the training qualified professionals in basic and advanced public safety diving, enabling them to conduct ship hull searches and enforce the law to combat transnational drug trafficking.

Marwa commended the two NDLEA officers who participated in the training for their exemplary performance.

He stated, “Their new ability to dive and search ship hulls will undoubtedly discourage global drug networks from attempting to send large consignments to Nigeria. Knowing our officers can now inspect every part of incoming ships and vessels will be a significant deterrent.”

The NDLEA chief asserted that the agency will stay ahead of drug cartels by continuously enhancing its skills and capabilities to prevent the smuggling of illicit drugs into Nigeria.

“We will keep training our officers and equipping them with modern technological tools to ensure the safety of our country by curbing substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking,” he added.