NDLEA Strengthens Airport Operations With Advanced Training For Officers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has significantly boosted its operational efficiency at major Nigerian airports by equipping its commanders and officers with advanced training in Advance Passenger Information System (API) and Passenger Targeting/Intelligence Gathering.

This initiative aims to bolster the fight against illicit drug trafficking within the country.

The training, facilitated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and held in both Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Abuja, focused on enhancing the agency’s ability to identify and intercept high-risk passengers, cargo, and mail.

The workshops are designed not only to improve detection capabilities but also to foster stronger communication and coordination between countries of origin, transit, and destination.

This collaborative approach is crucial for disrupting cross-border drug trafficking networks.

A total of 15 NDLEA officers participated in the training programmes. ACGN Usman Ali Wadar (Commander, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA) and CN Mohammed Ajiya (Commander, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA) attended the six-day Abidjan session, while 13 additional officers from MMIA and NAIA completed a five-day program in Abuja.

These trained officers are now tasked with disseminating their newly acquired knowledge and skills to their colleagues.

The initiative is a collaborative effort funded by the European Union, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States under the UNODC’s AIRCOP Airport Communication Project.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), expressed his commendation for both the UNODC facilitators, Ms. Fabienne Russel and Anderson Leme Siqueira of the Brazilian Customs Administration, and the participating NDLEA officers.

He emphasized the importance of immediately implementing the newly acquired skills and tools to enhance operations across all international airports in Nigeria.

The agency is committed to leveraging these advancements to significantly impact its anti-drug trafficking efforts.