 |
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Canine Unit |
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has concluded a specialised refresher training programme for its canine unit handlers, conducted with technical support from Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt (BKA). The exercise is part of ongoing efforts to improve the agency’s ability to detect concealed illicit drugs at airports, seaports and border points.
The training took place at the NDLEA Canine Unit Facility in Lagos and was led by two German technical dog-handling experts, Andreas Roscher and Jacqueline Shüler. It focused on practical skills needed in real operational environments, including advanced obedience and control, narcotics detection techniques, scent imprinting, systematic search patterns, handler safety, and tactics for deploying dogs in high-risk areas.
Eleven personnel from the Canine Unit took part. The group included the unit commander, two veterinary doctors and eight dog handlers, who worked alongside their service dogs. Five additional officers from NDLEA commands in Lagos who have expressed interest in joining the canine unit also participated as prospective handlers.
To make the training realistic, participants carried out practical exercises at key operational locations: the baggage hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), APM Terminals in Apapa, and the NAHCO export shed at the airport. These sites are among the busiest points for cargo and passenger movement in Nigeria and are frequent targets for drug trafficking attempts.
RELATED POSTS: Why Food Prices Remain High in Nigeria Despite Higher Production – Agriculture Minister Explain
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the programme as an important boost to the agency’s narcotics detection capacity. He emphasised that continuous investment in the retraining and welfare of canine teams remains a priority because of the critical role the dogs play in intercepting carefully concealed consignments.
Marwa also openly acknowledged existing gaps within the Canine Unit. These include the need for more service dogs, additional trained personnel, and improved boarding and care facilities so the unit can adequately cover Nigeria’s international airports, seaports and land borders. He stated that plans are already underway to address these challenges.
The German experts recommended that similar refresher training be conducted annually to maintain high operational standards and keep handlers and dogs aligned with evolving trafficking methods.
Why Canine Units Matter in Nigeria’s Drug Control Efforts
Nigeria remains a significant transit and destination country for illicit drugs. Traffickers continually adapt their concealment methods, making detection by human officers alone increasingly difficult. Well-trained detection dogs offer a fast, mobile and highly effective complementary tool, especially in busy airports and ports where large volumes of luggage and cargo must be screened quickly.
Germany has provided sustained support to the NDLEA Canine Unit over several years. This has included technical training, logistics assistance, specialised vehicles, and the construction of a modern canine facility in Lagos that was commissioned in 2025. Past successes linked to the unit include major seizures, such as the interception of a large quantity of Captagon tablets at Apapa Port in 2021.
By combining international expertise with local operational experience, the latest training aims to keep NDLEA’s handlers and dogs effective against more sophisticated concealment techniques.
Looking Ahead
The NDLEA has indicated that it will continue prioritising the professional development and welfare of its canine teams. Sustained annual training, expansion of the unit, and improved infrastructure are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s overall capacity to intercept illicit drugs before they enter communities or move onward through the region.
This collaboration with the German BKA demonstrates the value of international partnerships in building specialised law-enforcement capabilities. As trafficking networks become more organised, regular skills upgrades of this kind remain essential for agencies charged with protecting national and regional security.
Post a Comment