US plans 27 training programmmes for NDLEA in 2014

 

The United States Government has offered to organize twenty-seven (27) training courses for officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in 2014. This was made known by Mr. Mark Huebschman, United States Deputy Chief, Counter-narcotics and Law Enforcement Division, Africa Command. The US envoy who spoke during a working visit to the Agency’s headquarters Ikoyi, Lagos said that the training is part of United States assistance to Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking.

 “The United States will fund twenty-seven (27) training courses for the NDLEA in 2014. This will cover senior leadership, middle cadre as well as tactical training. Our training advisor in Nigeria will work with the Agency in developing the training schedule. It is an elaborate training and we hope to enlist the support of willing international partners” Mark stated.

 Receiving the United States delegation, the Director General of the NDLEA Mr. Femi Ajayi thanked the United States Government for their continuous support for Nigeria’s counter-narcotics campaign. According to the DG, “the threat of drug trafficking is increasing by the day. The discovery of five methamphetamine laboratories in the country is also disturbing. The fact that methamphetamine seizures are still being made at the airports is an indication that there might be more of such laboratories. This calls for greater collaboration among nations”.
 Ajayi therefore appealed to the envoy to further assist the NDLEA in the area of advocacy. “We are thankful for the scanners and technical support provided by your government to the Agency. Let me also seek your assistance in the area of advocacy. This will encourage more governments, institutions, donor organizations and individuals to partner with us in addressing the problem of illicit drugs. We are currently doing more with less resource” Ajayi stated.
 The US envoy was accompanied by Michael Burner, training advisor for West Africa. Others are, Amon Killeen and Ellen Kitt both of the US Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Counter-narcotics and Global Threats.