The French government has praised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its impressive achievements in combating illicit drugs, including a high rate of arrests, seizures, and convictions.
According to Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja Femi Babafemi, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, gave the commendation while handing over operational equipment donated by France to NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Fonbaustier highlighted NDLEA’s success in making over 57,792 arrests, seizing 9.9 million kilograms of drugs, and securing 10,572 convictions over the past four years. He noted that Nigeria’s record in drug enforcement positions the country as a valuable partner for France.
“You’re one of the best in the world in the fight against illicit drugs,” Fonbaustier stated. “NDLEA’s operational successes in arrests, seizures, and convictions set a global benchmark, making this partnership mutually beneficial.”
Marwa expressed gratitude for the donation, emphasizing that Nigeria and France share a strong partnership, reinforced by President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to France. He noted that the equipment would enhance NDLEA’s operational capacity and called for further collaboration on investigative training, cybercrime, and support for the agency’s Alternative Development Project to encourage cannabis farmers to switch to alternative crops.
