In a significant boost to Nigeria’s anti-drug fight, the French government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with enhanced training, capacity building, and logistical assistance.
The pledge came during a high-level meeting between a French delegation, led by Lt. Gen. Regis Colcombet, Director of Security and Defence Cooperation at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
The Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi in a statement quoted Lt. Gen. Colcombet to have emphasized that the visit was a follow-up to recent bilateral agreements between President Emmanuel Macron and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlighting France’s dedication to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria.
“It’s important for us to be here because, three months after your president’s successful visit to France, we are keen to build on the momentum and advance our partnership,” Colcombet stated.
Beyond tactical training for NDLEA officers, the French government will provide additional training slots on cybersecurity at the French Regional Academy in Côte d’Ivoire, alongside logistical support to enhance practical field operations.
Expressing gratitude, Marwa acknowledged the deepening relations between both nations, attributing it to the strong rapport between Presidents Tinubu and Macron.
He called for further assistance in manpower development, particularly in cyber and crypto investigations, to better equip NDLEA in tackling evolving drug-related crimes.
The meeting reinforced the growing international collaboration in Nigeria’s war against illicit drug trafficking, signaling a renewed push for more effective enforcement strategies.