6th August 2024
By Milcah Tanimu
Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has announced that recent training for the agency’s Marine Command officers in advanced diving techniques will bolster Nigeria’s efforts against large-scale cocaine shipments.
Marwa made this statement while receiving a briefing from the NDLEA’s Director of Seaports Operations, Deputy Commander General of Narcotics, Omolade Faboyede. According to Mr. Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, this new skill set aims to deter international drug traffickers by demonstrating that there are no secure hiding spots for illicit cargoes on vessels bound for Nigeria.
The training, which included basic, advanced open-water, and full-face mask diving, was conducted in Bombinhas City, Brazil. Eight officers from four countries, including two from Nigeria, completed the certification in two phases—first in November 2023 and then in July 2024.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) facilitated the program to enhance anti-drug trafficking and combat transnational crime in Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, and Senegal. The second phase of the training focused on public safety diving, equipping professionals to conduct thorough ship hull searches and enforce maritime law.
Marwa praised the two NDLEA officers who excelled in the training, noting that their new skills would significantly hinder global drug networks from successfully shipping large quantities of cocaine to Nigeria. “Their ability to dive into ship hulls will undoubtedly make it more difficult for drug traffickers to conceal their shipments,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA Chairman assured that the agency remains committed to staying ahead of drug cartels through continuous training and adoption of modern technologies. “We will keep enhancing our capabilities and exposing our officers to advanced tools to safeguard our nation from the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking,” he concluded.