The Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA) has opened two new forensic laboratories and upgraded its current one to enhance accessibility, pace up evaluation, and improve the prosecution of drug-related instances.
Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), NDLEA Chairman made the announcement in an announcement issued by the company’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, on Monday in Abuja.
Marwa acknowledged that for over 25 years, the company had been conducting forensic evaluation at a single laboratory facility in Lagos.
Nonetheless, resulting from a current surge in drug seizures, the institution of latest laboratories turned obligatory.
He highlighted that the 2 extra laboratories, positioned in Abuja and Enugu State, are strategically positioned and geared up with state-of-the-art services to fulfill the best requirements of high quality.
He acknowledged that this contains security protocols and guaranteeing a secure working atmosphere.
He added that the newly constructed laboratories would improve the company’s forensic evaluation capabilities, as they’re geared up with extra cutting-edge analytical devices.
“This may also improve our capability to course of instances effectively and strengthen our struggle in opposition to substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking,” he mentioned.
Marwa famous that whereas the 2 new services had been set to start operations, the present one in Lagos had undergone a complete renovation and refurbishment, reworking it right into a state-of-the-art facility.
“This undertaking is made attainable via the sponsorship of the US Worldwide Narcotics and Legislation Enforcement Affairs (INL) and carried out by the United Nations Workplace on Medication and Crime (UNODC),” he mentioned.
He additionally mentioned that the company, in collaboration with the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), had performed the coaching and certification of 20 NDLEA forensic analysts.
He defined that the coaching was meant to empower them to log off on drug evaluation studies, thereby enhancing the Company’s forensic capabilities.
“That is along with the implementation of sturdy high quality management measures, following the company’s profitable participation in three rounds of the UNODC Worldwide Collaborative Train (ICE) programme.
“This is a crucial a part of the Worldwide High quality Assurance Programme (IQAP) to make sure high quality administration techniques, accuracy, and reliability of outcomes,” he emphasised.
The NDLEA chairman counseled the officers, males, and girls of the company’s Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring for working with him to interrupt the greater than 25-year jinx.
He mentioned that the milestone achieved within the space of forensic evaluation was borne out of his dedication to equipping the laboratories with state-of-the-art devices.
He mentioned these embrace growing the experience of the company’s personnel to make sure correct and dependable forensic evaluation, analysis methodologies, and tackling the challenges posed by rising New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).
“The newly constructed drug laboratories and renovated services mark a big milestone within the Company’s historical past, and we’re delighted about this achievement,” he added.
In the meantime, the US-INL has donated new superior gear to the company to boost the operations of the NDLEA forensic laboratory in Lagos.
Marwa mentioned that the handover of the spectroscopy gadget was accomplished by the Director of INL in Nigeria, Ms Candace Spradley, who counseled the collaboration between NDLEA and the INL.
He added that the donated gear will improve the company’s capability to detect and analyze suspicious substances.
