The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says it has established two new forensic laboratories and upgraded the existing one to enhance accessibility, expedite timely analysis, and prosecute cases efficiently.
The NDLEA Chairman retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa disclosed this in a statement by the agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi on Monday in Abuja.
Mr Marwa said that the agency had been conducting forensic analysis in a single laboratory facility in Lagos for more than 25 years, adding that the new laboratories were necessary following a surge in drug seizures over the past months.
He noted that the two additional laboratories built in Abuja and Enugu State were strategically located and equipped with state- of -the -art facilities designed to meet the highest standards of quality.
He said this include safety protocols, as well as ensuring a safe working environment.
He added that the newly constructed laboratories would enable the agency to enhance it’s forensic analysis capabilities as they were equipped with additional cutting-edge analytical instruments.
“It will also help to increase our capacity to process cases efficiently and strengthen our fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking,” he said.
Mr Marwa noted that while the two new facilities were set to commence operations, the existing one in Lagos had undergone a comprehensive renovation and refurbishment, transforming it into a state-of-the-art facility.
”This project is 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 said.
He also said that the agency in collaboration with the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria, IPAN, had conducted the training and certification of 20 NDLEA forensic analysts.
He explained that the training was 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.
”This is an important part of International Quality Assurance Programme (IQAP) to ensure quality management systems, accuracy and reliability of results,” he emphasised.
The NDLEA chairman commended the officers, men and women of the agency’s Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring for working with him to break the more than 25 years jinx.
He said that the milestone achieved in the area of forensic analysis was borne out of his commitment to equipping the laboratories with state-of- the- art instruments.
He said these include 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,” he added.
Meanwhile, the US-INL has donated new advanced equipment to the agency to enhance the operations of the NDLEA forensic laboratory in Lagos.
Mr Marwa said that 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.
“The donated equipment will enhance the agency’s capacity to detect and analyse suspicious substances,” he said.
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, Omolade Faboyede.
Others include the Director, Forensic and Chemical Monitoring, Patricia Afolabi; Deputy Director Media and Advocacy, Rita Okpere, Head, Special Operations Unit, Grace Akinola and Commander, Lagos State Strategic Command of the Agency, Abubakar Wali among others.
NAN
