As part of an international cooperation effort, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has Inaugurated a state-of-the-art canine complex that was entirely built and donated by the German government.
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, praised the German government, stating that the new facility will significantly boost ongoing efforts to combat the menace of illicit drugs in Nigeria.
At the inauguration in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, September 26, Marwa said: “May I assure all stakeholders that the provision of this facility will significantly drive our fight against illicit drugs, fulfil our core mandate and secure the future of our nation.
“The quality of the infrastructure at the new NDLEA Dog facility is indeed commendable. It speaks volumes of the commitment, goodwill, and tenacity of our partners.”
He commended the German government for its numerous contributions to the NDLEA, which, he said, have translated into excellent performance by the Agency’s Canine Unit over the years.
Marwa cited the remarkable seizure of 74.119kg of captagon at Apapa seaport in Lagos in 2021 as a striking example of such successful operations aided by sniffer dogs.
He stressed that further efforts are needed to build on the current momentum in operational excellence.
He said: “This newly commissioned facility will, without doubt, provide a comfortable and dignified environment that will motivate our Canine Unit personnel to discharge their duties effectively and continue to meet both developmental and interdiction mandates.
“The commissioning of this new NDLEA Dog facility marks a significant milestone in the history of the collaboration between the Agency and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
“Everyone who understands the pivotal role of sniffer dogs in drug interdiction will share my sentiment and joy today.
“These canines play a critical role, using their heightened sense of smell to identify and detect concealed narcotic substances in cargo and shipments at our airports, seaports, land borders, courier service centres, and bus stations.”
Highlighting the importance of canines to the NDLEA’s successes, Marwa noted that the sniffer dogs have been instrumental in the seizure of over 17.932 metric tonnes of various illicit substances since their deployment within the Agency.
“In years past, the poor infrastructure of the NDLEA Canine Unit has limited its capacity to effectively address developmental and operational challenges.
“It is against this backdrop that the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, through the Liaison Office of the German Federal Criminal Police, intervened to sponsor the construction of a modern dog facility for the Agency,” he said.
He commended the German government for always fulfilling its commitments to the Agency in wide-ranging areas covering technical, logistics, and training support.
“Most significant is today’s commissioning and handover of the NDLEA Dog facility. The construction of the facility commenced in August 2024 and was completed on schedule”, he added.
He expressed gratitude to the German Consul General, Mr Daniel Krull, and to the personnel of the Liaison Office of the German Federal Criminal Police, as well as their colleagues in Berlin, Saxony, and Sachsen-Anhalt, who worked tirelessly to bring the project to fruition.
In his remarks, the Consul General, Mr Daniel Krull, said that the success of the NDLEA’s operations not only helps to keep Nigeria safe but also brings significant benefits to Germany.
He said: “Chairman, I would like to congratulate you for the implementation of this important project, the success and the amazing work of your agency under your leadership.
“My colleagues briefed me that your agency has been very, very successful, instrumental in fighting crime in Nigeria.
“And that is, of course, not only important for Nigeria, but it is important for the region. And it goes far beyond. It is also important for us in Germany. So congratulations for the amazing work and I would encourage all members of the NDLEA to keep up the good spirit and continue the amazing work.
“Secondly, I would like to thank you, Chairman, you and all staff members for the trust you have in your German partners. And that trust, I think, is what is the most important currency in this international cooperation.
“We hope that this trust will be so solid that we will have a very fruitful cooperation in the future.”
Speaking in the same vein, the Deputy Head of Section IZ14 BKA, Berlin, Mr Florian Bulow, said that the support for the NDLEA is one of the most far-reaching projects the BKA has undertaken in terms of police capacity building.
“And if you have such a long cooperation, it’s like in a marriage, it needs love. But love is not everything. You also need trust. So if you trust, you can work together.
“You also have to share the same goals and values. And we do that in our fight against drug smuggling and drug abuse.
“But one of the most important things, you have to work together as a team. And we did that for many, many years. And if you work together as a team and go this long road as a team, you can achieve something. And what we have achieved together is that,” he said.
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