The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has strengthened the operational capacity of its Canine Unit through a refresher training programme conducted with the support of German technical dog-handling experts.
The training, held at the NDLEA Canine Unit Facility in Lagos, was organised in collaboration with the German Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) and facilitated by two technical dog-handling experts, Mr. Andreas Roscher and Ms. Jacqueline Shüler.
The exercise was designed to sharpen the skills of Nigerian canine handlers and improve the effectiveness of service dogs in detecting and intercepting narcotics concealed in luggage, cargo and other locations.
Eleven personnel from the NDLEA Canine Unit participated in the training. They comprised the Unit Commander, two veterinary doctors and eight dog handlers, alongside their service dogs. Five additional officers from various NDLEA commands in Lagos who had expressed interest in joining the Canine Unit also participated in the programme.
The training focused on advanced obedience and control, narcotics detection techniques, scent imprinting, search patterns and practical deployment strategies.
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Participants also took part in real-life simulation exercises at strategic locations, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) baggage hall, APM Terminals in Apapa and the MMIA NAHCO export shed.
The programme further covered handler safety and tactical procedures for deploying canine assets in high-risk operational environments.
Speaking on the initiative, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said the exercise demonstrated the agency’s commitment to developing a highly skilled and professional workforce capable of responding to the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by drug trafficking networks.
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Marwa described the agency’s canine teams as a critical component of its drug detection and interdiction operations, particularly at airports, seaports and international borders.
He said continued investment in the retraining and welfare of both handlers and service dogs remained essential to sustaining the agency’s successes in intercepting concealed narcotics.
According to him, the partnership with the German counterparts would further strengthen the operational capacity of the Canine Unit while ensuring that NDLEA personnel benefit from internationally recognised practices.
The NDLEA boss also acknowledged manpower and logistical challenges confronting the Canine Unit, including the need for additional service dogs, trained personnel and suitable boarding facilities.
He said the agency was already taking steps to address the identified gaps and improve canine coverage across the country’s seaports, international airports and land borders.
Marwa also disclosed that the recommendation to make the refresher training an annual exercise would be sustained as part of efforts to continuously improve the effectiveness of the agency’s canine operations.
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The development comes as the NDLEA continues to strengthen its surveillance, detection and interdiction capabilities across Nigeria’s major drug trafficking routes and entry points.
