NewsDesk
The French government has reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against illicit drug trafficking. This assurance was made during a courtesy visit to NDLEA’s Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, by the French Police Attaché to Nigeria, Mr. Phillipe Crespo, and members of the French National Police elite tactical unit, RAID.
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Speaking at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja over the weekend, Mr. Crespo praised the Agency’s efforts and emphasized that the partnership between the French National Police and NDLEA had contributed to significant drug seizures bound for Europe and other global destinations. He affirmed that France would continue to provide support, and suggested formalizing the growing collaboration with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the upcoming year.
“We are deeply impressed by the efforts of NDLEA in tackling drug trafficking and protecting communities both in Nigeria and abroad. The French government will continue to stand with NDLEA as we face these global challenges together,” Crespo said.
Philippe Barrau, a French technical expert, commended the professionalism of NDLEA officers, noting the success of the three-week special operations training held at the Agency’s Academy in Jos. He also acknowledged the important role the NDLEA Academy played in ensuring the training was effective and smooth.
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In response, Marwa expressed his gratitude to the French government for its consistent support and collaboration. He reflected on his 2022 visit to RAID’s headquarters in France, which led to the initiation of the training programs. “The fight against drugs is a global issue, and we need all the expertise we can get to curb the activities of drug cartels that threaten public health and security worldwide,” Marwa remarked.
He also welcomed the proposal for a MoU, stressing the importance of continued international cooperation. “This partnership is not just growing in drug law enforcement but also at the level of leadership between our two countries, which will bring immense benefits to both sides,” he added.