By Faith Obams, JKNewsMedia Reporter
NIGERIA’s CAMPAIGN against illicit drugs received a major boost on Friday, 26 September 2025, with the commissioning of a new state-of-the-art canine facility for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ikeja, Lagos.
The facility was built and donated by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), declared that the donation will significantly strengthen the agency’s operational capacity in combating drug trafficking.
He said the quality of infrastructure at the new NDLEA dog facility reflects the goodwill and commitment of the German government and its law enforcement partners.
“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 stated.
He noted that the commissioning of the complex represents a milestone in Nigeria’s fight against narcotics.
Citing past achievements of the Canine Unit, he recalled the remarkable seizure of 74.119 kilogrammes of captagon at the Apapa seaport in Lagos in 2021 as a striking example of successful operations aided by sniffer dogs.
He explained that since their deployment in the agency, the dogs have been instrumental to the interception of more than 17.932 metric tonnes of illicit substances.
Marwa emphasised that the new canine facility provides an improved environment for NDLEA personnel and dogs to perform optimally.
“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 said.
The NDLEA Chief Executive described the intervention as a landmark achievement in the collaboration between Nigeria and Germany in drug law enforcement.
He explained that the poor infrastructure of the Canine Unit had limited the agency’s capacity to tackle operational challenges in the past, but with Germany’s sponsorship through the Liaison Office of the German Federal Criminal Police (BKA), a modern complex has now been delivered. He confirmed that construction began in August 2024 and was completed on schedule.
Marwa expressed appreciation to the German Consul General in Lagos, Mr Daniel Krull, and to the personnel of the German Federal Criminal Police in Berlin, Saxony and Sachsen-Anhalt for their roles in the successful delivery of the project.
A press release was signed by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, on Friday, 26 September 2025, states that Marwa also commended Germany’s wide-ranging support to NDLEA in technical, logistics and training areas, which he said continues to contribute to the agency’s excellence.
In his remarks at the event, German Consul General Mr Daniel Krull said Germany attached great importance to the success of NDLEA’s operations because the impact extends beyond Nigeria.
“Chairman, I would like to congratulate you for the implementation of this important project, the success and the amazing work of your agency under your leadership.
“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,” he said.
Krull further underlined that the relationship between NDLEA and German authorities was built on trust, which he described as the most important currency in international cooperation.
“Secondly, I would like to thank you, Chairman, you and all staff members for the trust you have in your German partners.
“And that trust, I think, is what is the most important currency in this international cooperation. And we hope that this trust will be so solid that we will have a very fruitful cooperation in the future,” he added.
Deputy Head of Section IZ14 BKA, Berlin, Mr. Florian Bulow, also spoke at the commissioning and described the support for NDLEA as one of the longest-running projects in police capacity building. “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. But one of the most important things, you have to work together as a team.
“And we did that for many, many years. And if you work together as a team and go this long road as a team, you can achieve something. And what we have achieved together is that,” Bulow said.
The NDLEA statement confirmed that the canine facility will play a pivotal role in enhancing detection of concealed narcotic substances across Nigeria’s airports, seaports, land borders, courier service centres and bus stations.
Marwa stressed that the agency remains determined to sustain and improve its operational capacity with the support of trusted international partners.
