NDLEA Lagos Swiftly Deploys LSSTF Donated Protective Gear, Strengthens Officers’ Safety and Operational Capacity
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos Strategic Command, has demonstrated its commitment to accountability, operational efficiency, and personnel welfare by immediately deploying newly donated protective equipment received from the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).
The development positions the NDLEA among the first security agencies in Lagos State to operationalize security assets recently provided by the LSSTF under the leadership of its Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan.
At a ceremony held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the NDLEA Festac Area Command, the Commander of the Lagos Strategic Command, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics (ACGN) Abubakar Liman Wali, personally decorated officers with the newly acquired bulletproof vests and ballistic helmets donated by the Lagos State Government through the LSSTF.
The event featured a simulation exercise and an operational stop-and-search deployment along the Mile 2 Expressway, where NDLEA operatives, supported by trained detector dogs, conducted vehicle searches and recovered suspected illicit exhibits as part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and related crimes across the state.
Speaking after the exercise, ACGN Wali expressed profound appreciation to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and the Executive Secretary/CEO of the LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, for the timely intervention, describing the donation as a major morale booster for officers engaged in high-risk operations.
“This will serve as a morale booster. The nature of our job comes with enormous risks and hazards. With this equipment, our officers now have an added layer of protection. I am confident this will further motivate them to improve on the excellent work we are already doing in Lagos,” he said.
Wali noted that anti-narcotics operations often require officers to enter volatile environments where criminal elements may resist arrest or attempt to obstruct law enforcement activities. He stressed that the new protective gear has significantly enhanced the Command’s preparedness for difficult assignments.
“There are areas where we previously had to take extra precautions and sometimes seek support from other security agencies before carrying out operations. With this equipment, those involved in criminal activities should know that we are now even better prepared and ready to confront them,” he stated.
The Commander also appealed for additional operational support as the Command anticipates the deployment of more detector dogs from the NDLEA National Headquarters before the end of the year. He commended the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), for his ongoing reforms aimed at improving officers’ welfare, strengthening operational effectiveness, and enhancing the agency’s overall capacity nationwide.
While applauding officers for their dedication and professionalism, Wali urged them to remain committed to respecting human rights and adhering to best practices in the discharge of their duties. He further directed that all protective equipment be properly documented, numbered, and subjected to strict sign-in and sign-out procedures to ensure accountability and effective asset management.
The parade was led by Superintendent of Narcotics, SP Tari Amina Alazigha, while the Commander of the Canine Unit, NAHCO, CN Dickson Osamudiamen, assisted in the decoration of officers during the ceremony.
The swift deployment of the protective gear underscores the NDLEA Lagos Strategic Command’s determination to maximize available resources while enhancing officer safety and strengthening the fight against drug-related crimes in Lagos State.