By Bashir Aliyu
The French Government has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of increased support in training, capacity building, and logistics to bolster the agency’s operational capabilities in combating substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
The assurance was given on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting between a high-level French delegation, led by Lt. Gen. Regis Colcombet, Director of Security and Defence Cooperation at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd).
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Colcombet stated that the meeting was a follow-up to bilateral agreements reached between French President Emmanuel Macron and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during Tinubu’s recent state visit to Paris. He also recalled a similar meeting with Marwa in France two years ago, where discussions on areas of support for the NDLEA were held.
“It’s important for us to be here, as it’s now three months after the very successful state visit of your president to France, which has led to many developments. We’ve been requested to follow up and see how we can further advance this cooperation. It’s very important,” Colcombet said.
Commitment to Training and Logistics
In response to requests for additional support, Colcombet assured that selected NDLEA officers across various commands and formations would receive specialized training in tactical operations. He also pledged that more NDLEA personnel would be granted slots for cybersecurity training at the French Regional Academy in Côte d’Ivoire.
Additionally, Colcombet promised to provide necessary logistics to enhance the practicality of these training programs, further strengthening the agency’s operations.
In his remarks, Marwa expressed satisfaction with the strengthened diplomatic relations between Nigeria and France, attributing it to the strong rapport between Presidents Tinubu and Macron. He noted that this relationship had created significant opportunities for the NDLEA to deepen its collaboration with French counterparts.
Marwa appreciated the ongoing support from the French government and highlighted additional areas where the agency required assistance. He specifically requested further manpower development and capacity-building programs for NDLEA personnel at the French Regional Academy in Côte d’Ivoire, particularly in tactical operations, cybersecurity, and crypto investigations.
The French delegation included Lt. Col. Pierre Yves Dupe, Philippe Baurreau, Col. Olivier Ductet, and Philippe Crespo.
