The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday commissioned a new state-of-the-art canine facility built and donated by the German government.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), revealed that since their deployment, sniffer dogs had been instrumental in the seizure of over 17.932 metric tonnes of various illicit substances in the country.

Speaking at the commissioning in Ikeja, Lagos, Marwa said the new facility would significantly boost the agency’s on-going efforts against the menace of illicit drugs in the country.

“The quality of the infrastructure at the new NDLEA Dog facility is indeed commendable,” he said, noting that it would provide a dignified environment that would motivate personnel and enhance their ability to fulfill the agency’s mandate.

Gen. Marwa also cited the remarkable seizure of 74.119kg of captagon at the Apapa seaport in 2021 as a striking example of a successful operation aided by sniffer dogs. He emphasized that these canines play a critical role in detecting concealed narcotics at airports, seaports, and land borders.

The German Consul General, Mr. Daniel Krull, in his remarks, said the success of the NDLEA was not only vital for Nigeria, but also for Germany.

He congratulated the agency on its “amazing work,” emphasising that “trust is the most important currency in international cooperation.”

Echoing the same sentiments, the Deputy Head of Section IZ14 BKA, Berlin, Mr. Florian Bulow, described the support for the NDLEA as “one of the longest-reaching police capacity-building projects” his agency had undertaken.

According to him, the long-term collaboration is built on shared goals, values, and teamwork, which have enabled both countries to achieve significant results in the fight against drug smuggling.