Abuja, Nigeria – The government of France has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria in its fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse. This pledge came at the conclusion of intensive special training for officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) by an elite unit of the French National Police, known as RAID.
The French Police Attaché to Nigeria, Mr. Phillipe Crespo, led a delegation to the NDLEA’s national headquarters in Abuja over the weekend to meet with the agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd). During the visit, Crespo praised Marwa’s openness to collaboration with both local and international partners, which has been instrumental in combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Nigeria.
Crespo highlighted the global impact of the NDLEA’s operations, noting that its efforts have protected not only Nigerians but also international communities by intercepting illicit drug consignments destined for Europe and other regions. He emphasized France’s commitment to sustaining this partnership and proposed formalizing it through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2025.
The visit coincided with the conclusion of a three-week training program for NDLEA’s Strike Force Unit at the agency’s Academy in Jos, Plateau State. This marks the third such training in two years. French technical expert Phillipe Barrau lauded the professionalism and dedication of the NDLEA officers who participated in the program and commended the academy’s capacity and support, which contributed to the training’s success.
Brig. Gen. Marwa expressed gratitude for France’s consistent support, recalling his visit to the RAID headquarters in 2022, where he first requested such training. He noted that the partnership has significantly enhanced the agency’s capacity to tackle the global drug problem.
“The drug problem is a global challenge that requires strong partnerships, collaboration, and expertise to dismantle drug cartels and safeguard public health and security worldwide,” Marwa stated. He also highlighted the broader collaboration between the governments of President Bola Tinubu and President Emmanuel Macron, which he believes will yield significant benefits for both nations.
This growing partnership between Nigeria and France underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by drug trafficking and substance abuse.