The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has highlighted the significance of a newly built canine facility donated by the German government, stating it will enhance the agency’s fight against illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
Marwa praised the German government for its consistent support, noting that their contributions have significantly improved the performance of the NDLEA’s Canine Unit.
He pointed to the high-profile seizure of 74.119kg of captagon at Lagos’ Apapa seaport in 2021 as a clear example of the effectiveness of sniffer dogs in operations.
“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,” Marwa said during the commissioning ceremony held in Ikeja, Lagos on Friday, September 26.
While acknowledging the progress made, he emphasized the need to sustain and improve current operational standards. “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,” he added.
According to Marwa, the event marks a significant step in the ongoing collaboration between the NDLEA and the German government. He underscored the vital role of sniffer dogs in intercepting narcotics at various points of entry, including airports, seaports, border crossings, courier centers, and bus stations.
He further revealed that the deployment of sniffer dogs has played a major role in the seizure of more than 17.932 metric tonnes of illicit substances. Marwa noted that limitations in infrastructure had previously hindered the Canine Unit’s efficiency, which made the German intervention especially timely and impactful.
“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.
Marwa also lauded Germany’s continued commitment across a broad range of areas including logistics, technical, 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 noted.
Speaking at the event, German Consul General Mr. Daniel Krull acknowledged NDLEA’s success as being beneficial not only to Nigeria but also to Germany. “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,” Krull stated.
Also in attendance was Mr. Florian Bulow, Deputy Head of Section IZ14 of the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), Berlin, who emphasized the depth of the partnership between the two countries. “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,” he said.
