NDLEA Breaks 25-Year Jinx with New Forensic Labs in Abuja, Enugu, Trains 20 Analysts
…Marwa hails milestone achievement as US-INL donates advanced equipment to Lagos laboratory
In a historic breakthrough that marks a turning point in the operational capacity of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), two new forensic laboratories have been established in Abuja and Enugu, breaking a 25-year reliance on a single facility in Lagos.
The Agency has also upgraded the Lagos laboratory and trained 20 officers to bolster its forensic capabilities in response to a recent surge in drug seizures across the country.
The newly built facilities in Abuja and Enugu are equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and adhere to the highest international safety and quality standards, ensuring a secure and efficient environment for forensic analysis.
According to NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), the development marks “a significant milestone in the Agency’s history,” describing the new laboratories as vital tools in Nigeria’s ongoing war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
“For over two decades, the NDLEA has operated with a single forensic lab in Lagos. With these newly constructed laboratories, we can now enhance our forensic analysis capabilities, increase our capacity to process cases efficiently, and strengthen our fight against drugs,” Marwa stated during the official announcement.
Marwa disclosed that the Lagos lab has undergone a full-scale renovation and transformation into a state-of-the-art facility, thanks to sponsorship from the United States’ Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (US-INL), with implementation by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
In tandem with the laboratory upgrades, the Agency, in collaboration with the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), has trained and certified 20 NDLEA forensic analysts. These analysts are now qualified to sign off on drug analysis reports, a move that is expected to significantly expedite prosecution and case management.
The NDLEA has also implemented robust quality control protocols, following its successful participation in three rounds of the UNODC’s International Collaborative Exercise (ICE).
This initiative is part of the International Quality Assurance Programme (IQAP), which aims to improve accuracy, reliability, and the overall quality management systems in forensic laboratories worldwide.
Acknowledging the contributions of the Agency’s Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring, Marwa expressed gratitude for their dedication in helping to overcome the decades-old limitation.
He reiterated his commitment to continually investing in advanced forensic instruments and personnel training to tackle the growing challenge of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).
Meanwhile, the Lagos laboratory received a significant boost with the donation of a new spectroscopy device by the US-INL. The advanced equipment is expected to enhance the lab’s ability to detect and analyse suspicious substances with higher precision.
The handover ceremony took place at the NDLEA’s Ikoyi headquarters annex in Lagos and was led by Ms. Candace Spradley, Director of INL in Nigeria.
She lauded the enduring collaboration between the NDLEA and the INL, noting that the donation will reinforce the Agency’s forensic investigations and drug interdiction efforts.
A delegation of senior NDLEA officials received the equipment, including Director of Seaport Operations, DCGN Omolade Faboyede; Director of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring, ACGN Patricia Afolabi; Deputy Director, Media and Advocacy, ACGN Rita Geh Okpere; Head of the Special Operations Unit, ACGN Akinola Idowu Grace; and Commander of the Lagos State Strategic Command, CN Abubakar Liman Wali.
The landmark achievements represent a strategic advancement in Nigeria’s counter-narcotics efforts and reflect growing international cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
