Facing increasingly violent drug cartels, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a historic operational shift after 36 years, officially inducting AK-47 rifles and advanced pistols into its tactical arsenal.
According to a statement Monday, June 29 by NDLEA Spokesman Femi Babafemi, Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) unveiled the historic arms induction during a weapon handling course in Jos. The specialized training equips pioneer instructors to handle AK-47 Type 56-1 rifles and HS-9/CF98A pistols before nationwide deployment.
Speaking at the event, Marwa—represented by his Chief of Staff, Col. Murtala Aminu—described the development as a critical milestone in the agency’s 36-year history, necessitated by the evolving dynamics of Nigeria’s drug war.
“The nature of the war we fight has evolved,” Marwa stated, adding that “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. This programme is, therefore, not just about firearms, it is about the preservation of lives and the projection of institutional strength.”
Marwa expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to boosting the agency’s capacity, describing his leadership as the catalyst for recent operational successes. He also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for swiftly providing the initial consignment of firearms and ammunition to launch the training without delay.
Detailing the arms procurement, Marwa revealed that the acquisition process with the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) is now in its final stage. With thousands of weapons scheduled for imminent delivery under a strict distribution plan, the NDLEA is partnering with the Nigerian Air Force to strategically airlift the assets to commands nationwide.
Designed to produce pioneer master trainers, the ongoing course features merit-based participants selected from various commands. These personnel will return to their formations to lead a mandatory, month-long training program for all staff before the weapons are deployed. Addressing them, Marwa charged: “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.”
Charging the participants to maintain the highest level of professionalism, Marwa stated: “First, embrace discipline as your bedrock. Weapons handling is not a privilege—it is a grave responsibility. Every firearm must be treated with the seriousness it demands, at all times, in all circumstances.”
“Second, internalise safety as a culture, not a checklist. Avoidable incidents are the result of complacency. The NDLEA cannot and will not tolerate negligence when it comes to the handling of arms and ammunition. We owe this standard to our colleagues and to the Nigerian public.
“Third, understand that proficiency is not just technical — it is ethical. The power that a firearm confers must always be tempered by restraint, judgement, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law and rules of engagement. Our mandate is to protect lives, not to endanger them.
“Fourth, be worthy of the trust placed in you. When you stand before your colleagues as instructors, you carry with you not just technical knowledge but the authority of this institution. Teach with integrity, lead by example, and hold yourselves to the highest standards.”
Celebrating the NDLEA’s evolution into a highly professionalized and feared opponent of drug lords, Marwa stated that the new tactical weapons signal a historic chapter of honor and fortified security for the nation.
Reflecting on the agency’s growth, Marwa added: “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 honor.”
