Reaffirming Nigeria’s lead in the global war on Narcotics, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) pledged unwavering cooperation with international partners during the graduation of elite officers from the US-DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on Friday, February 13.
In a statement released on Friday, February 13, by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi, said the Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) called for a “reinforced global offensive” against transnational crime.
Speaking at the graduation of NDLEA officers from the US-DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Marwa asserted that the growing sophistication of criminal networks must be met with a corresponding surge in international law enforcement collaboration.
In a poignant tribute, Marwa described the graduation as a landmark moment, dedicating the training to the fallen heroes of the NDLEA’s SIU. He reminded the new graduates that their mission is a continuation of the courage shown by those who gave their lives to keep Nigeria safe.
While honoring those who gave everything, he described the fallen as true heroes whose “courage, sacrifice, and steadfast commitment to justice” continue to inspire officers across all borders. Marwa pointed to the course motto—”Different nations, shared duty, one fight”—as a powerful symbol of the unified front needed against international cartels. He stressed that since crime knows no boundaries, our defense must be equally limitless: a “unified, coordinated, and intelligence-driven” strategy for a safer world.
The statement further stated that the intensive training programme successfully united elite officers from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, empowering them with advanced operational expertise across several critical facets of law enforcement. By fostering cross-border collaboration, the initiative ensures these specialists are uniquely equipped to dismantle sophisticated criminal networks and bolster regional security.
Marwa further expressed unwavering confidence that the newly acquired expertise would significantly bolster the “operational capacity of participating agencies.” He emphasized that these enhanced skills are vital to “disrupt drug trafficking networks” and effectively “dismantle organised criminal cartels across the region,” marking a decisive step forward in regional security.
However, as they return to the front lines, the NDLEA Chief urged the graduates to wield their new skills with “integrity, professionalism, courage, and a strong sense of responsibility.” He reminded the officers that their training is not just a personal achievement, but a mandate to lead their agencies with unwavering honor.
In a tribute to international cooperation, Marwa lauded the United States Department of Justice and DEA leadership for their “steadfast partnership, mentorship, and continued investment in capacity building.” This synergy, he emphasized, is not just about training but about building a global wall against transnational crime.
The NDLEA boss reminded the graduates that today marks “not the end of training but the beginning of renewed responsibility.” Their mission now is to “uphold the highest standards of service, protect vulnerable communities, and confront criminality wherever it threatens societal stability”. Looking ahead, Marwa highlighted an evolving international alliance, confident that the bond with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will “continue to grow stronger, yielding sustained successes in the shared fight against drug trafficking and organised crime.
