On Saturday, the French government reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing collaboration and support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking and abuse. This assurance was conveyed by the French Police Attaché in Nigeria, Phillipe Crespo, during a courtesy visit to the NDLEA in Abuja. He was accompanied by Messrs. Phillipe Barrau, Tony Albaladejo, and Cedric Hocquette.
The visit took place following a series of specialized training operations for officers from the NDLEA’s Strike Force Unit, held at the NDLEA Academy in Jos. This training marks the third such initiative in the past two years, highlighting the ongoing commitment to enhancing the skills and capabilities of NDLEA personnel.
During the visit, Mr. Crespo expressed his appreciation for the warm reception consistently afforded to the French delegation by Mr. Marwa. He praised Marwa’s proactive approach in collaborating with both local and international partners to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
Mr. Crespo emphasized that the success of the NDLEA’s operations plays a crucial role not only in safeguarding Nigerian citizens and cities but also in protecting communities in other countries. He pointed out that the agency’s interdiction efforts have resulted in significant seizures of various illicit drug consignments destined for Europe and other regions.
As a testament to this ongoing partnership, Mr. Crespo stated that the French government, through the French National Police, would continue to support and collaborate with the NDLEA. He proposed that the growing relationship be formalized in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the upcoming year to further solidify their cooperation.
French technical expert Phillipe Barrau also spoke during the visit, commending the diligence and professionalism demonstrated by NDLEA officers throughout the three-week training exercise. He highlighted the mutual benefits of the collaboration, noting that both sides have much to learn from each other.
Mr. Barrau further praised the support and resources provided by the NDLEA Academy, which contributed to the seamless execution and success of the training program. This acknowledgment underscores the importance of strong institutional frameworks in enhancing law enforcement capabilities.
In response, Mr. Marwa expressed his gratitude to the French government for their ongoing support and partnership. He reflected on his visit to the RAID headquarters in France in 2022, where he initially requested such training, acknowledging that he had not anticipated the swift and consistent follow-up.
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Mr. Marwa recognized the global nature of the drug problem and emphasized the necessity for international cooperation, collaboration, and the sharing of expertise to effectively confront drug cartels. He pointed out that these efforts are vital in addressing threats to public health and security worldwide.
He concluded by expressing his enthusiasm for the expanding collaboration between the two organizations, noting that it extends beyond drug law enforcement. Mr. Marwa welcomed the proposed MoU and affirmed his commitment to nurturing the relationship between the NDLEA and the French authorities.
