Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, has emphasized the importance of recent diving training for the agency’s Marine Command officers.
This training is seen as a significant development in deterring the influx of large cocaine shipments into Nigeria. The training report was presented by Deputy Commander General of Narcotics, Omolade Faboyede, to Marwa.
This effort is part of the agency’s strategy to combat drug smuggling more effectively.
The new diving skills acquired by the officers will serve as a clear message to international drug syndicates that Nigeria is not a safe haven for their illegal activities.
The training included basic diving, advanced open-water diving, and full-face mask diving.
Notably, eight officers from four countries, including Nigeria, underwent this specialized training facilitated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Brazil.
The purpose of this initiative, according to the UNODC, is to enhance the capabilities of the participating countries (Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, and Senegal) in combating drug trafficking and other transnational criminal activities.
By certifying these professionals in public safety diving, the training equips them to conduct thorough searches of ship hulls, enforce laws, and enhance public safety measures against transnational drug trafficking.
General Marwa applauded the dedication and performance of the two NDLEA officers who took part in the training and certification program.
This demonstrates the agency’s commitment to improving its capacity to tackle drug-related crimes and protect the nation from the threats posed by drug trafficking activities.
He said, “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 chief vowed to stay one step ahead of drug cartels, continuously enhancing the agency’s skills and capabilities to prevent the smuggling of illicit drugs into Nigeria.
“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.
, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, has emphasized the importance of recent diving training for the agency's Marine Command officers.){kind=link}