German Experts Trains NDLEA Sniffer Dog Handlers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has organised a specialised refresher training for its canine unit personnel, with two German technical dog-handling experts brought in to strengthen the agency’s capacity to detect and intercept concealed narcotics.

The training, held at the NDLEA Canine Unit Facility in Lagos, was organised in collaboration with the German Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) and facilitated by German technical dog handlers, Mr Andreas Roscher and Ms Jacqueline Shüler.

The exercise was designed to sharpen the operational skills of Nigerian handlers and their service dogs while exposing them to international best practices in narcotics detection and canine deployment.

Eleven personnel from the Canine Unit, comprising the unit commander, two veterinary doctors and eight dog handlers, participated in the training alongside their service dogs.

Five additional officers from NDLEA commands in Lagos who had expressed interest in joining the Canine Unit also took part in the exercise.

The training featured advanced obedience and control techniques, narcotics detection methods, scent imprinting, search patterns, handler safety and tactics for deploying canine assets in high-risk environments.

Participants also underwent practical, real-life simulation exercises at strategic locations, including the baggage hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), APM Terminals Apapa and the MMIA NAHCO export shed.

Speaking on the exercise, NDLEA chairman and chief executive officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd.), described the training as an important step towards strengthening the agency’s narcotics detection and interdiction capabilities.

Marwa said the agency’s canine teams remained a critical component of its efforts to intercept drugs concealed in luggage, cargo and other forms of consignments at airports, seaports and border points.

“Our canine teams remain one of the most potent assets in our detection and interdiction efforts, and this is why we will continue to invest in their retraining and welfare,” he said.

According to him, the successes recorded by the agency in detecting concealed narcotics were partly attributable to the dedication of canine handlers and the sharpened instincts of the service dogs.

German technical dog handlers, Mr Andreas Roscher and Ms Jacqueline Shüler; and a team of the NDLEA operatives

He said the partnership with the German counterparts would further strengthen the capacity of the Canine Unit while ensuring that its operations remained aligned with international best practices.

The NDLEA chairman also acknowledged manpower and logistics challenges confronting the unit, including the need for additional service dogs, personnel and boarding facilities.

He said the agency was working towards addressing the gaps to enable the Canine Unit effectively cover the country’s seaports, international airports and land borders.

Marwa further disclosed that plans were underway to sustain the refresher training as an annual exercise, following a recommendation from the training programme.