The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday formally commenced the induction of assault rifles and advanced pistols into its operational structure for the first time since its establishment 36 years ago, marking a significant shift in its strategy to confront increasingly armed and violent drug trafficking syndicates.
The landmark development was unveiled by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), during the inauguration of a specialised Train-the-Trainer Course on Weapon Handling at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State.
The training, which focuses on the handling of AK-47 Type 56-1 rifles and HS-9/CF98A pistols, is designed to produce pioneer instructors who will subsequently train officers across the country’s commands before the weapons are deployed for operational use.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Colonel Murtala Aminu, Marwa said the initiative reflected the changing realities of Nigeria’s anti-drug war, noting that drug trafficking organisations had evolved into heavily armed criminal networks capable of confronting law enforcement officers.
“The nature of the war we fight has evolved,” he said. “Drug trafficking organisations are no longer mere commercial criminal enterprises; they are armed, organised and ruthless. Our officers face increasing danger in the field, and it would be unconscionable to send men and women into harm’s way without the tools and training to protect themselves and the public they serve.”
He stressed that the programme was not merely about introducing firearms but about protecting the lives of personnel while strengthening the agency’s capacity to combat organised crime.
Marwa attributed the milestone to the support of President Bola Tinubu, commending him for prioritising the strengthening of the agency’s operational capabilities.
He also acknowledged the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for facilitating the immediate release of an initial consignment of firearms and ammunition, which enabled the commencement of the training programme.
Providing details of the procurement process, Marwa disclosed that the acquisition of the weapons, initiated in 2023 through China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), had reached its final phase.
According to him, thousands of AK-47 rifles, pistols and ammunition are expected to arrive shortly, while a comprehensive distribution and accountability framework has already been approved to ensure transparency in their deployment.
He added that the agency was collaborating with the Nigerian Air Force to airlift the weapons to commands across the country for secure distribution.
Marwa described the pioneer participants as the foundation upon which the NDLEA’s future weapons-handling culture would be built, charging them to uphold professionalism, discipline and strict adherence to safety standards.
“You are the first. You are the standard-bearers. The operational culture, the safety ethos and the professional discipline that will define how the NDLEA handles weapons all begin here,” he said.
He urged the trainees to regard weapons handling as a grave responsibility rather than a privilege, insisting that every firearm must be handled with utmost caution.
He further emphasised that technical proficiency must always be guided by ethics, restraint, sound judgement and strict compliance with the rules of engagement and the rule of law.
According to him, the authority conferred by firearms should never be abused but exercised responsibly in protecting lives and safeguarding the public.
Marwa said the introduction of tactical weapons represented another milestone in the agency’s transformation into a more professional and effective institution.
He noted that in recent years the NDLEA had recorded unprecedented seizures of illicit drugs, dismantled major trafficking syndicates and secured convictions against notorious drug traffickers.
“The induction of more arms into our operational inventory is the next chapter in that story, and it is a chapter that must be written with honour,” he said.
The agency has in recent years intensified nationwide operations against drug trafficking and abuse, leading to record seizures of narcotics, arrests of traffickers and destruction of cannabis plantations across several states.
The formal arming of selected operational personnel is expected to strengthen officers’ ability to protect themselves during high-risk interdictions and confront increasingly sophisticated criminal networks involved in illicit drug trafficking.
