The French Government has committed to providing increased support to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), bolstering its efforts to combat the growing menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria. This includes training, capacity building, and logistical support, all aimed at strengthening the agency’s operational effectiveness.
The assurance came from Lt.-Gen. Regis Colcombet, the Director of Security and Defence Cooperation at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, during a visit to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja.
Colcombet, who led the French delegation, met with Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), the NDLEA Chairman and CEO, to discuss further collaboration between the two nations in this critical area.
According to a statement released by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Colcombet noted that the meeting was a follow-up to the agreements made between French President Emmanuel Macron and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the latter’s recent state visit to Paris.
This marks a continued effort to strengthen ties and deepen cooperation in addressing global drug-related challenges.
“It’s crucial that we follow up on the fruitful state visit of President Tinubu to France,” Colcombet said. “This visit is an important step in advancing our joint efforts and ensuring that we continue to build on the successes already achieved.”
Colcombet also recalled a similar meeting held with Marwa two years ago in France, where discussions centered on potential areas of support for the NDLEA. He emphasized that this latest collaboration is a key component of the broader strategic partnership between the two countries, especially in the fight against drug trafficking.
In response to requests from the NDLEA, Colcombet confirmed that specialized training would be extended to selected NDLEA officers across various commands, particularly focusing on tactical operations.
Additionally, he announced that NDLEA personnel would be given cybersecurity training slots at the French Regional Academy in Cote d’Ivoire, further enhancing their ability to counter the growing threats in the digital space.
“We will also be providing logistical support to ensure that the training programs are as effective and practical as possible,” Colcombet assured. This support will play a crucial role in improving the agency’s operational capacity and its ability to tackle emerging challenges in drug enforcement.
Brig.-Gen. Marwa expressed his appreciation for the continued growth and strength of the relationship between Nigeria and France, highlighting the positive influence of the strong rapport between Presidents Tinubu and Macron.
He commended the French Government for its sustained commitment to Nigeria’s fight against narcotics and assured them that the new support would significantly enhance the NDLEA’s capacity to tackle drug-related crimes more effectively.
This deepening cooperation comes at a time when the fight against drug trafficking and abuse remains a critical concern in Nigeria, and the NDLEA’s strengthened operational capacity, supported by international partners like France, is seen as a significant step forward in the war against narcotics.
