- Marwa says exercise to boost narcotics detection capacity
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has organised a refresher training course for its Canine Unit dog handlers, facilitated by two German technical dog handling experts, aimed at sharpening the operational skills of handlers and their service dogs in narcotics detection.
The training, which held at the NDLEA Canine Unit Facility in Lagos, was organised in collaboration with the German Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) and conducted by technical dog handlers: Mr. Andreas Roscher, and Ms. Jacqueline Shüler, who brought international best practices to bear on the training of Nigerian handlers.
Eleven personnel of the Canine Unit, comprising the Unit Commander, two veterinary doctors and eight dog handlers alongside their service dogs, participated in the course, which also had five other officers from Commands within Lagos who have indicated interest in joining the Canine Unit.
The training covered advanced obedience and control, narcotics detection techniques including scent imprinting and search patterns, real-life simulation exercises at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) baggage hall, APM Terminals Apapa, MMIA NAHCO export shed, and handler safety and tactics for deployment of canine assets in high-risk areas.
Speaking on the training, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the exercise as another demonstration of the Agency’s commitment to building a highly skilled and professional workforce capable of matching the sophistication of modern drug trafficking networks.
“Our canine teams remain one of the most potent assets in our detection and interdiction efforts, and this is why we will continue to invest in their retraining and welfare. The successes we have recorded at our airports, seaports and border points in intercepting concealed narcotics are in no small measure due to the dedicated and sharpened instincts of our dogs and their handlers. This partnership with our German counterparts further strengthens that capacity and aligns our operations with global best practices”, Marwa stated.
The NDLEA boss added that the Agency has taken note of the manpower and logistics challenges facing the Canine Unit, including the need for more service dogs, personnel and boarding facilities to adequately cover the country’s seaports, international airports and land borders, and that plans are underway to address these gaps in line with the recommendation that the refresher training be sustained as an annual exercise.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media and Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Saturday 19th September 2026