The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched its first formal weapons handling training programme, marking a major shift in its operational strategy as it strengthens its fight against increasingly armed drug trafficking networks.
The landmark initiative was unveiled earlier today, June 29, at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, where the agency inaugurated a specialised Train-the-Trainer Course on the handling of AK-47 Type 56-1 rifles and HS-9/CF98A pistols.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Col. Murtala Aminu, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the exercise as a historic milestone in the agency’s 36-year history.
“The nature of the war we fight has evolved,” Marwa stated, adding that “Drug trafficking organisations are no longer mere commercial criminal enterprises; they are armed, organised, 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 programme is, therefore, not just about firearms, it is about the preservation of lives and the projection of institutional strength.”
Marwa credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for strengthening the agency’s operational capacity, saying his administration’s support had made the latest development possible. He also praised the Office of the National Security Adviser for supplying the first consignment of firearms and ammunition, enabling the training to begin without delay.
He disclosed that the procurement process, initiated in 2023 through the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), is nearing completion. According to him, thousands of AK-47 rifles, pistols and ammunition are expected to arrive soon, with an approved accountability framework already in place for nationwide distribution.
The NDLEA is also working with the Nigerian Air Force to airlift the weapons to commands across the country.
Participants in the ongoing course were selected from various commands to become the agency’s first master trainers. They will return to their commands to conduct compulsory one-month weapons handling courses for all personnel before the firearms are deployed for operations.
Addressing the trainees, Marwa reminded them of the significance of their role.
“The weight of that responsibility should not be lost on you. You are the first. You are the standard-bearers. The operational culture, the safety ethos, the professional discipline that will define how the NDLEA handles weapons, all of that begins here, with you, in this academy, on this day,” he said.
He urged the officers to uphold discipline, safety, ethical conduct and professionalism throughout the training and beyond.
“First, embrace discipline as your bedrock. 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 said.
“Second, internalise safety as a culture, not a checklist. Avoidable incidents are the result of complacency. The NDLEA cannot and will not tolerate negligence when it comes to the handling of arms and ammunition. We owe this standard to our colleagues and to the Nigerian public.
“Third, understand that proficiency is not just technical, it is ethical. The power that a firearm confers must always be tempered by restraint, judgement, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law and rules of engagement. Our mandate is to protect lives, not to endanger them.
“Fourth, be worthy of the trust placed in you. When you stand before your colleagues as instructors, you carry with you not just technical knowledge but the authority of this institution. Teach with integrity, lead by example, and hold yourselves to the highest standards.”
Marwa said the agency had evolved into a more formidable force against drug traffickers, citing major seizures and the dismantling of criminal networks in recent years.
“I am proud of the extraordinary strides this Agency has made under our collective watch. In the past few years, the NDLEA has transformed into a more professional, more capable, and more feared adversary to drug criminals,” he said.
“We have recorded unprecedented seizures, dismantled criminal networks, and brought justice to traffickers who once believed themselves untouchable. The induction of more arms into our operational inventory is the next chapter in that story and it is a chapter that must be written with honour.”
