Breaking the agelong jinx is a significant milestone
in the Agency’s history, says Marwa
As US-INL donates forensic equipment to enhance Lagos
lab
After over 25 years of conducting forensic analysis in
a single laboratory facility in Lagos, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA) has established two new laboratories and upgraded the existing one to
enhance accessibility, expedite timely analysis, and prosecute cases
efficiently following a surge in drug seizures over the past months.
The two additional laboratories built in Abuja and
Enugu are strategically located and equipped with state- of -the -art
facilities designed to meet the highest standards of quality and safety
protocols, as well as ensuring a safe working environment.
Excited about the development, the Chairman/Chief
Executive of the Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) said “the newly
constructed laboratories will enable us to enhance our forensic analysis
capabilities, increase our capacity to process cases efficiently and strengthen
our fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.”
He noted that while the two new facilities were set to
commence operations, the existing one in Lagos has undergone a comprehensive
renovation and refurbishment, transforming it into a state-of-the-art facility.
“This project was made possible through the sponsorship of the US International
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and implemented by the United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)”, he stated.
Beside equipping the laboratories with additional
cutting-edge analytical instruments, the
Agency in collaboration with the Institute of Public
Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), has conducted the training and certification of 20
NDLEA forensic analysts, meant to empower them to sign off on drug analysis
reports, thereby enhancing the Agency’s forensic capabilities.
This is in addition to the implementation of robust
quality control measures, following the Agency’s successful participation in
three rounds of the UNODC International Collaborative Exercise (ICE) programme,
which is an important part of International Quality Assurance Programme (IQAP)
to ensure quality management systems, accuracy and reliability of results.
While commending the officers, men and women of the
Agency’s Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring for working with him
to break the over 25 years jinx, Marwa said the milestone achieved in the area
of forensic analysis is borne out of his commitment to equipping the
laboratories with state-of- the- art instruments and developing the expertise
of the Agency’s personnel to ensure accurate and reliable forensic analysis,
research methodologies and tackling the challenges posed by emerging New Psychoactive
Substances (NPS).
“The newly constructed drug laboratories and renovated
facilities mark a significant milestone in the Agency’s history, and we are
delighted about this achievement”, Marwa added.
Meanwhile, the US-INL has donated a new advanced
equipment to the Agency to enhance the operations of the NDLEA forensic lab in
Lagos. The handover of the spectroscopy device was done by the Director of INL
in Nigeria, Ms. Candace Spradley who commended the collaboration between NDLEA
and the INL. She said the donated equipment will enhance the Agency’s capacity
to detect and analyse suspicious substances.
A team of top officials of the Agency who received the
US delegation and the equipment at the Ikoyi Lagos headquarters annex of NDLEA
was led by the Director, Seaport Operations, DCGN Omolade Faboyede. Others
include the Director, Forensic and Chemical Monitoring, ACGN Patricia Afolabi;
Deputy Director Media and Advocacy, ACGN Rita Geh Okpere; Head, Special
Operations Unit, ACGN Akinola Idowu Grace and Commander, Lagos State Strategic
Command of the Agency, CN Abubakar Liman Wali, among others.
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