French government commits to strengthening NDLEA partnership

The French government has pledged enhanced collaboration and support for Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following weeks of intensive special operations training for its officers.

Conducted by RAID, an elite tactical unit of the French National Police, the training marked the third in two years aimed at boosting the NDLEA’s operational capacity.

During a courtesy visit to NDLEA’s national headquarters in Abuja, French Police Attaché in Nigeria, Mr. Phillipe Crespo, assured the agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (rtd), of continued partnership. Speaking on behalf of his delegation, which included Messrs Phillipe Barrau, Tony Albaladejo, and Cedric Hocquette, Crespo commended the NDLEA’s interdiction efforts.

“The success of NDLEA’s operations is not only helping to protect Nigerians and Nigerian cities but equally communities in foreign lands through the agency’s interdiction efforts that have led to huge seizures of assorted illicit drug consignments heading to Europe and other parts of the world,” Crespo said.

He further proposed formalizing the growing partnership through a memorandum of understanding in the New Year.

Barrau, another member of the French team, praised the professionalism and expertise of NDLEA officers who participated in the three-week training held at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State. He noted that both sides benefited from the exchange, adding that the academy’s robust support ensured the program’s success.

In his response, Marwa expressed gratitude to the French government for its commitment to strengthening the agency’s capacity. Reflecting on his 2022 visit to RAID’s headquarters in France, Marwa said, “I remember in 2022 when I visited the headquarters of RAID in France on invitation and made a request for this type of training. I never knew it’s something that will come so fast and this consistent. Soon after that visit, a team of experts were sent to train our personnel, and I am glad this is the third of such exercises.”

He emphasized the global nature of the drug crisis, stating, “The drug problem is huge and worldwide, and as such, we require global partnership, collaboration, and every bit of expertise we can acquire to confront the drug cartels and put an end to their activities which pose a direct threat to public health and the security of countries across the globe.”

Marwa also highlighted the broader significance of the partnership, noting the alignment between the leadership of Nigeria and France. “It is therefore a thing of joy that our collaboration is not just growing at the level of drug law enforcement, but we can see the growing partnership between our two leaders: President Bola Tinubu and President Emmanuel Macron, our governments and our countries; this will in no small measure bring great benefits to both sides,” he said.

Welcoming the proposed MoU, Marwa reiterated his commitment to fostering a stronger relationship between the NDLEA and the French National Police.