NDLEA Commissions German-Built Canine Facility to Boost Nigeria’s Anti-Drug War

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commended the German government for donating a state-of-the-art canine facility, describing the gesture as a major boost to Nigeria’s fight against illicit drugs.

Speaking on Friday during the commissioning of the new canine complex in Lagos, NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the facility would greatly enhance the agency’s operational capacity. His remarks were contained in a statement by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

Marwa praised the quality of the infrastructure, noting that it reflects the strong commitment of Germany to Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign. He recalled that the agency’s sniffer dogs have been pivotal in major operations, including the seizure of over 74kg of captagon at Apapa Port in 2021, and more than 17.9 metric tonnes of illicit drugs since their deployment. He emphasized that the new facility, completed on schedule with support from the German Federal Criminal Police, would provide a more conducive environment for personnel and dogs in the unit.

The NDLEA boss also expressed gratitude to German Consul General Daniel Krull and other German officials for their contributions. Krull, in his remarks, said the NDLEA’s achievements under Marwa’s leadership benefit not only Nigeria but also Germany and the wider region.

Similarly, Florian Bulow of the German Federal Criminal Police described the NDLEA partnership as one of the longest-running capacity-building projects, stressing the role of mutual trust in sustaining such cooperation. The Canine Unit, he added, remains vital in curbing drug trafficking across Nigeria’s airports, seaports, and borders.