NDLEA Begs FG For N780m To Train Officers

More than a year after they were recruited, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, is still waiting for the Federal Government to disburse about N780 million to train 2096 anti-narcotic agents, the agency has said.

Since they were employed early last year, the officers have only been engaged in drills for physical fitness as well as skeletal administrative duties in their states of origin.

NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, had said in a previous interview that while salaries were approved for the officers, money to train them has never been released.

The officers were recruited to boost the war against drug trafficiking in Nigeria. NDLEA now has about 5070 staff on their payroll.

The Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, who appeared before the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption Wednesday, disclosed that lack of funds has hindered the training of the new officers.

“When we got approval for the recruitment of the officers we did not anticipate delay in the release of funds for training. The basic training programme will cost N780 million.

“Drug control is sensitive and the training must match the functions of the officers. In the interim, I had to use my discretion to conduct their documentation and deploy them to their states of origin for orientation programme.

“This was merely introductory and does not suffice for the basic narcotic course. Consequently, I directed the commanders not to engage them in critical operational assignments save for routine administrative duties,” Giade said.

“The committee is better informed on the issues of concern. The inadequate funding condition of the NDLEA is noted and appropriate action will be taken by the committee,” said the Committee Chairman, Senator Victor Lar.

The inability to train the recruited officers is a setback to the war against drug trafficking.

There are over 140 entry points into Nigeria and NDLEA officers are present in about 20 percent of them with a staff strength of 5070 spread in 36 State Commands and 11 Special Area Commands.

The agency had said that it needs an additional 20,000 officers to be more effective in the war against drug trafficking.

By Simon Ateba