The officers of the Marine Command and Seaports Operations of Nigeria’s Anti-narcotic Agency, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have been trained by the United Kingdom Home Office International Operations, HOIO, in recent weeks.
Out of the 35 officers that were trained, five are currently undergoing a two-week Maritime Patrol and Tactical Coxswain training by the UK’s Central Maritime Training Unit based in Southampton, United Kingdom.
According to a press statement by NDLEA’S spokesperson Mr Femi BabaFemi, the training are to enhance the border control capabilities of officers on mentoring and advanced drug detection equipment.
He highlighted the key areas covered so far to include, including boat handling, weapons handling, riverine operations, boarding and vessel search, among many others.
BabaFemi said some of the training has been facilitated by the British Military, Nigerian Navy and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under the Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP).
He explained that the ongoing two-week training of five NDLEA marine officers including their first female coxswain will enable them to plan maritime deployments, and pursue, stop and board vessels on the high seas.
While thanking the UK government for its continued support and commitment to helping the NDLEA to enhance its capacity and capabilities to tackle drug trafficking, the Chief Executive of the Agency, retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa urged the officers to remain steadfast in their professional calling and ensure they bring to bear the essence of the training on their formations and colleagues.
He assured them that he will continue to prioritise capacity building for all officers of the Agency.
BabaFemi quoted the Home Office International Operations Regional Manager for West Africa in a remark as saying that, HOIO was immensely proud and honoured to work with and support the work of NDLEA.
Dominica Nwabufo
