Marwa inaugurates weapon handling training course for NDLEA officers in Jos
NDLEA Introduces Firearms to Combat Drug Trafficking
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has officially begun integrating AK-47 rifles and advanced pistols into its operational framework. This announcement was made by the agency’s Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), during the inauguration of a specialized Train-the-Trainer Course focused on weapon handling at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State.
Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, reported that Marwa, represented by Chief of Staff Col. Murtala Aminu, described this initiative as a significant milestone in the agency’s 36-year history, driven by evolving challenges in Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking.
“The nature of the war we fight has evolved,” Marwa said. “Drug trafficking organizations are no longer merely commercial criminal enterprises; they are armed, organized, and ruthless. Our officers face increasing danger in the field, and it would be unconscionable for this agency to send men and women into harm’s way without the tools and training to protect themselves and the public they serve. This program is, therefore, not just about firearms; it is about the preservation of lives and the projection of institutional strength.”
The arms procurement process, which began in 2023 through a partnership with the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), is now in its final stages. Thousands of arms and ammunition are expected to be delivered shortly, with a comprehensive distribution and accountability plan already approved. The NDLEA is also collaborating with the Nigerian Air Force to ensure the strategic airlift of these assets across its nationwide commands.
The ongoing training course aims to produce pioneer master trainers selected based on merit from various commands. These trainers will lead a mandatory one-month program for all personnel before the weapons are operationally deployed. “The weight of that responsibility should not be lost on you,” Marwa told participants. “You are the first. You are the standard-bearers. The operational culture, the safety ethos, and the professional discipline that will define how the NDLEA handles weapons all begins here, with you, in this academy, on this day.”
Marwa emphasized the importance of professionalism, urging participants to embrace discipline as their foundation. “Weapons handling is not a privilege; it is a grave responsibility. Every firearm must be treated with the seriousness it demands, at all times, in all circumstances.”
He also expressed satisfaction with the transformation of the NDLEA into a highly professionalized agency that poses a formidable challenge to drug traffickers, noting that the induction of tactical arms signifies a new chapter in enhancing national security.
