The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), has emphasized that recent training in diving for the agency’s Marine Command officers is set to significantly impact efforts against large-scale cocaine shipments to Nigeria.
According to The PUNCH, Marwa made this statement while receiving a report from the NDLEA’s Director of Seaports Operations, Deputy Commander General of Narcotics, Omolade Faboyede.
The details were shared in a press release by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Marwa highlighted that the new diving capabilities would serve as a stern warning to international drug cartels, making it clear that they cannot conceal their illegal cargo on any vessel heading to Nigeria.
The officers have completed training in basic diving, advanced open-water diving, and full-face mask diving.
The training, which included eight officers from four countries—two from Nigeria—was conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Bombinhas City, Brazil.
This training took place in two phases: the first in November 2023 and the second in July 2024.
It was aimed at bolstering efforts against drug trafficking and transnational crime for Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, and Senegal.
The second phase specifically qualified the professionals in public safety diving to perform ship hull searches, enforce laws, and enhance public safety in the fight against drug trafficking.
Marwa praised the two NDLEA officers who participated in the training, commending their excellent performance.
He stated, “Their 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. This is so, knowing full well that our men now have the capacity to search every nook and cranny of ships and vessels coming to Nigeria.”
The NDLEA Chairman affirmed the agency’s commitment to staying ahead of drug cartels through continuous skill development and the use of modern technology.
“We will also continue to expose our officers, men and women to training and the use of modern technological tools. This is in our determined bid to keep our country safe by curbing the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking,” he added.
