NDLEA Trains Officers to Combat Cross-Border Drug Smuggling

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has conducted advanced training for its officers on the Advanced Passenger Information System and Passenger Targeting/Intelligence Gathering. The training aims to enhance the agency’s capacity to identify and intercept high-risk passengers, cargo, and mail in efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking. The program also focuses on strengthening international collaboration among countries of origin, transit, and destination to dismantle cross-border drug networks. In a statement released on Friday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed that the training, facilitated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, took place in Côte d’Ivoire and Abuja. Two key NDLEA commanders, ACGN Usman Ali Wadar from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command and CN Mohammed Ajiya from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Command, participated in the six-day session in Abidjan, while 13 other officers from the two airports attended a five-day session in Abuja. These officers are now responsible for passing on their knowledge to their colleagues. NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), praised the officers for their dedication and urged them to apply their new skills to daily operations at the airports to enhance security and disrupt drug trafficking networks.