UK Home Office International Operations trains 35 NDLEA officers on anti-piracy and drugs

BRITAIN'S Home Office International Operations has trained no fewer than 35 officers of Nigeria's Marine Command and Seaports Operations of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in recent weeks as part of a global clampdown on piracy and drugs.

According to ND:EA director Femi Babafemi, five among the 35 trainees are currently undergoing a two-week Maritime Patrol and Tactical Coxswain training with the UK’s Central Maritime Training Unit based in Southampton. He added that the training is to enhance the border control capabilities of the NDLEA by providing specialised training, mentoring and advanced drug detection equipment.

Mr Babafemi said: “Key areas covered so far include boat handling, weapons handling, riverine operations, boarding and vessel search, among many others. Some of the training exercise was facilitated by the British military, the Nigerian Navy and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime under the Global Maritime Crime Programme.”

He further added that the ongoing two-week training of five NDLEA marine officers including the first female coxswain, will enable them to plan maritime deployments, pursue, stop and board vessels on the high seas. NDLEA chairman, Retired Brigadier Buba Marwa, urged the officers to remain steadfast in their professional calling and ensure they bring to bear the essence of the training on their formations and colleagues.

Kris Hawksfield, the Home Office International Operations regional manager for West Africa, added that he honoured to work with and support the work of the NDLEA. Mr Hawksfield added that the UK remains committed to strengthening the mutually beneficial work of the agency to interdict, seize and destroy illicit substances and drugs which would otherwise harm Nigeria and the UK.