The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), says the commissioning of a new canine facility in Lagos marks a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against illicit drugs.
The modern dog complex, built and donated by the German government, was inaugurated on Friday in Ikeja. The event drew senior officials from both Nigeria and Germany.
Marwa said the facility highlights the vital role of sniffer dogs in detecting narcotics at airports, seaports, land borders, courier services, and transport hubs.
“This facility will significantly drive our fight against illicit drugs, fulfil our core mandate, and secure the future of our nation,” he said.
Marwa noted that sniffer dogs have helped NDLEA seize more than 17.9 metric tonnes of illicit drugs in recent years.
He recalled one of the agency’s biggest successes: the seizure of 74.1 kilogrammes of Captagon tablets at the Apapa seaport in 2021.
According to him, the new infrastructure will give handlers a better work environment and strengthen the agency’s operational edge.
“In years past, poor infrastructure limited our canine unit. This intervention by the German government comes at a crucial time to consolidate our progress,” he said.
READ ALSO: NDLEA Mourns Cross River Commander Ogbonna Maurice
The German Consul General in Lagos, Mr Daniel Krull, praised the agency’s performance under Marwa’s leadership.
“The amazing work of your agency is important for Nigeria, for the region, and for us in Germany,” Krull said. “Trust is the most important currency in international cooperation, and we look forward to deepening this partnership.”
Mr Florian Bulow, Deputy Head of Section IZ14 at the German Federal Criminal Police (BKA) in Berlin, compared the long cooperation with NDLEA to a marriage.
“Partnership requires love, but also trust. We share the same goals in fighting drug smuggling and abuse. Working together as a team, we have achieved remarkable results,” he said.
Marwa thanked the German government, the Liaison Office of the BKA, and officials in Berlin, Saxony, and Sachsen-Anhalt for their contributions.
READ ALSO: NDLEA Jails Lagos Couple for 22.5 Years, Seizes Multi-Bn-Naira Hotel
The canine facility, which broke ground in August 2024, was delivered on schedule and officially handed over to NDLEA on Friday, September 26, 2025.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
