The government of France has reaffirmed its commitment to further collaboration with Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the successful completion of intensive special operations training for NDLEA officers. The training, conducted by an elite tactical unit of the French National Police, RAID, was designed to enhance the operational capacity of the NDLEA’s Strike Force Unit.
The French Police Attaché in Nigeria, Mr. Phillipe Crespo, delivered this assurance during a courtesy visit to NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), at the Agency’s national headquarters in Abuja. Mr. Crespo was accompanied by Messrs. Phillipe Barrau, Tony Albaladejo, and Cedric Hocquette.
This visit followed the successful conclusion of the third in a series of special operations training held at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State, which has been ongoing for the past two years. Mr. Crespo commended Marwa for his leadership and for fostering robust international partnerships aimed at curbing substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. He noted that the NDLEA’s effective operations not only safeguard Nigerian communities but also have a positive impact on global efforts to combat drug trafficking, with several significant drug seizures heading to Europe and beyond.
Highlighting the importance of continued cooperation, Crespo proposed that the partnership be formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the upcoming year.
French technical expert Phillipe Barrau also praised the professionalism and expertise demonstrated by NDLEA officers during the training, emphasizing the mutual learning that had taken place. He acknowledged the NDLEA Academy’s capacity, which played a key role in ensuring the program’s success.
In his response, Gen. Marwa expressed his gratitude to the French government for its support, recalling his visit to RAID headquarters in France in 2022, where he had requested such training. He noted that this collaboration had been instrumental in equipping NDLEA personnel to better address the global drug problem.
“The drug trade is a significant global issue, and international collaboration is critical to combat the cartels that threaten public health and security worldwide,” Marwa stated. He also highlighted the growing partnership between the governments of Nigeria and France, referencing the strong ties between President Bola Tinubu and President Emmanuel Macron, which he believes will yield great benefits for both nations.
Marwa welcomed the proposed MoU and expressed his commitment to further strengthening the relationship between the two organizations in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.
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