Felix Mbata, Lagos state
In a historic shift after 36 years, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has commenced the formal induction of AK-47 rifles and advanced pistols into its operational architecture, marking a new era in Nigeria’s fight against violent drug cartels.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), disclosed this during the inauguration of a specialized Train-the-Trainer Course on Weapon Handling for AK-47 Rifle Type 56-1 and HS-9/CF98A Pistols at the NDLEA Academy, Jos. He was represented by his Chief of Staff, Col. Murtala Aminu.
A Response to a Deadlier Threat
Marwa said the development is a direct response to the evolving nature of the drug war. “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 for this Agency to send men and women into harm’s way without the tools and training to protect themselves and the public they serve,” he stated.
He emphasized that the programme is not just about firearms, but about “the preservation of lives and the projection of institutional strength.”
Presidential Backing and Strategic Procurement
The NDLEA boss expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to boosting the Agency’s operational capacity, describing his leadership as the driving force behind recent successes. He also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, for its timely intervention in providing the initial substantial consignment of firearms and ammunition to kickstart the training without delay.
Marwa revealed that the procurement process, which began in 2023 through the China North Industries Corporation, NORINCO, has reached its final stage. Thousands of arms and ammunition are scheduled for imminent delivery under a precise distribution and accountability plan already approved. The Agency is partnering with the Nigerian Air Force for the strategic airlift of the assets to commands nationwide.
Building Master Trainers, Setting the Standard
The Jos course is designed to produce pioneer master trainers selected on merit from various commands. They will return to their formations to lead a mandatory, comprehensive one-month training for all personnel before the weapons are deployed operationally.
“The weight of that responsibility should not be lost on you. You are the first. You are the standard-bearers. The operational culture, the safety ethos, the professional discipline that will define how the NDLEA handles weapons, all of that begins here, with you, in this academy, on this day,” Marwa charged.
He gave the trainers four mandates: embrace discipline as the bedrock, because weapons handling is a grave responsibility; internalize safety as a culture, not a checklist, as negligence will not be tolerated; understand that proficiency is ethical, with firearms tempered by restraint, judgment, and the rule of law; and be worthy of institutional trust by teaching with integrity and leading by example.
A Professional, Feared Adversary
Marwa said the induction represents a new chapter of honour and enhanced national security. “I am proud of the extraordinary strides this Agency has made under our collective watch. In the past few years, the NDLEA has transformed into a more professional, more capable, and more feared adversary to drug criminals. We have recorded unprecedented seizures, dismantled criminal networks, and brought justice to traffickers who once believed themselves untouchable. 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 added.
Conclusively, Thirty-six years after its establishment, the NDLEA is arming its officers not only with weapons, but with training, discipline, and accountability to match the threats they face. With presidential support, strategic procurement, and a new cadre of master trainers, the Agency says it is entering a phase where operational capability, officer safety, and public protection will define its legacy.
Signed
FEMI BABAFEMI
Director, Media and Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Monday, 29th June 2026