The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has inaugurated the agency’s first-ever specialised Train-the-Trainer Course on Weapons Handling, marking the formal induction of AK-47 rifles and advanced pistols into NDLEA operations after 36 years.
The landmark training programme, which commenced on Monday at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State, is aimed at strengthening the agency’s tactical capacity to confront increasingly violent and heavily armed drug trafficking syndicates across the country.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Col. Murtala Aminu, Marwa described the initiative as a historic turning point in the agency’s operational evolution, driven by the changing dynamics of Nigeria’s fight against illicit drug trafficking.
He noted that drug trafficking organisations have transformed into highly organised and armed criminal networks, making it imperative for NDLEA personnel to be adequately equipped and professionally trained to protect themselves and the public during operations.
“The nature of the war we fight has evolved. Drug trafficking organisations are no longer mere commercial criminal enterprises; they are armed, organised, and ruthless. It would be unconscionable to send our officers into harm’s way without the tools and training to protect themselves and the public they serve,” Marwa stated.
The NDLEA boss commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support in enhancing the agency’s operational capacity, describing the President’s leadership as instrumental to the agency’s recent successes. He also appreciated the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for facilitating the initial supply of firearms and ammunition that enabled the immediate commencement of the training programme.
Marwa disclosed that the procurement of thousands of AK-47 rifles, pistols and ammunition, initiated in 2023 through the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), has reached its final stage, with delivery expected shortly. He added that a comprehensive accountability and distribution framework has already been approved, while the Nigerian Air Force will assist in airlifting the weapons to NDLEA commands nationwide.
According to him, the ongoing course is designed to produce pioneer master trainers who will return to their various commands to conduct a mandatory one-month firearms training programme for all NDLEA personnel before the weapons are deployed for operational use.
He charged the participants to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, safety, ethical conduct and strict adherence to the rules of engagement, stressing that the responsible handling of firearms is essential to preserving lives and maintaining public trust.
Marwa expressed satisfaction with the transformation of the NDLEA into a more professional and formidable force against drug trafficking organisations, noting that the induction of tactical weapons represents a new chapter in the agency’s efforts to safeguard national security.
He said the agency has recorded unprecedented drug seizures, dismantled major criminal networks and brought numerous traffickers to justice in recent years, adding that the enhanced tactical capability would further strengthen its resolve to combat organised drug crime across Nigeria.
