France pledges continued support to Nigeria in war on drugs

The French government has assured Nigeria of more collaboration and support in its war on drugs.

The promise was made at the weekend after weeks of intensive special training for officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) by men of an elite tactical unit of the French National Police, popularly called RAID.

Assuring at the weekend in Abuja, the French Police Attaché to Nigeria, Mr. Phillipe Crespo, who led the trio of Messrs. Phillipe Barrau, Tony Albaladejo and Cedric Hocquette on a courtesy visit to the President/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. . General Buba Marwa (rtd) of the agency’s national headquarters, praised Marwa for the warm welcome he has always given to the French team.

Crespo also commended Marwa for his willingness to collaborate with local and international partners in his determined effort to reduce the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

He said the success of NDLEA operations has not only helped to protect Nigerians and Nigerian cities but also communities in foreign countries through the interdiction agency’s efforts leading to huge seizures of assorted illicit drug consignments bound for Europe and other parts of the world.

The visit followed the conclusion of a series of special training for officers of the Strike Force Unit of the NDLEA at the agency’s Academy in Jos, Plato State, the third such training in the last two years.

Crespo said the French government through the French National Police will continue its support and collaboration with the NDLEA.

He proposed that the growing partnership be documented in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the new year.

In his remark, French technical expert, Phillipe Barrau commended the diligence, expertise and professionalism of the NDLEA officers involved in the three-week training exercise, adding that both sides have a lot to learn from each other.

He praised the support and capacity of the agency’s academy, which made the program seamless and successful.

In his response, Marwa expressed his appreciation to the French government for its support and partnership.

“I remember in 2022 when I visited the RAID headquarters in France at the invitation and made a request for this kind of training, I never knew that it would be something that would come so quickly and constantly. Shortly after this visit, a team of experts was sent to train our staff and I am happy that this is the third such exercise.

He said: “The drug problem is huge worldwide and as such we need global partnership, collaboration and whatever experience we can get to confront the drug cartels and put an end to their activities which pose a threat directly to the public health and security of countries around the globe.

“It is therefore a joy that our collaboration is not only 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 greatly benefit both parties.”

Michael Olugbode

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