NDLEA LAGOS STRATEGIC COMMAND HOSTS 1st SENIOR OFFICERS’ TRAINING AND RETREAT 2025
Written By Dedeigbo Samson Ayodeji and Sylvia Ebosele
Posted By Town Crier News Nigeria
Published By Fitness Network Communications
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA )Lagos strategic command organized a 1st senior officer’s conference training and retreat ,held at Presken Hotel Ltd, Ikeja, Lagos, which started today 29th of January and will be ending 30th of January, to engage in comprehensive training sessions, workshops, and discussions, designed to enhance operational effectiveness.
In his opening remarks, the Commander of the NDLEA Lagos Strategic Command, CN Abubakar Liman Wali, emphasized the significance of continuous learning and collaboration in tackling the evolving challenges of drug law enforcement and community safety.
The Commander of the NDLEA Lagos Strategic Command, CN Abubakar Liman Wali, delivering his Opening Speech
“This annual event is a crucial opportunity for us to assess our progress, strengthen our strategies, and reinforce our shared mission,” he stated. “As we gather here, let us remember the importance of professional growth and teamwork. Our experiences and knowledge will empower us to enhance our operational effectiveness.”
Speaking at the conference,Deputy Commander General of Narcotics (DCGN Abdul Momodu Rtd) made a speech on the role of human rights in law enforcement. Addressing senior officers, he emphasized that respect for human rights must be at the core of their responsibilities, as their duties inherently involve actions that could impact individuals’ freedoms.
First facilitator Deputy Commander General of Narcotics (DCGN Abdul Momodu Rtd), during his Lecture
Drawing from his extensive career,
Momodu recounted his experience in training over 4,000 officers and his commitment to selecting the best personnel for leadership roles. Highlighting his commitment to developing top-tier officers, Momodu explained his selection process for master trainers. “I wasn’t looking for my people, I was looking for the best,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of meritocracy in leadership development.
On human rights, he underscored the universal and inalienable nature of these rights, stating:
“Human rights are not granted by any government; they are inherent from birth.
As state agents, you are not giving anyone their human rights because they already own them.”
Using historical references, he recalled a statement by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, who criticized the idea of a government “giving” human rights to citizens. Momodu reiterated that officers must recognize that their law enforcement duties will inevitably intersect with human rights issues, whether through arrests, property seizures, or detentions.
A cross Section of the NDLEA Officers
Momodu concluded by emphasizing the need for continuous training, stating that understanding human rights is crucial for ethical and effective law enforcement. His speech set the stage for further discussions on balancing drug law enforcement with justice and accountability.
In his address, Deputy Commander General of Narcotics (DCGN) Abdul Momodu (Rtd) discussed the interdependence and indivisibility of human rights, emphasizing that no right can be discarded without affecting others. Momodu explained that civil and political rights, such as the right to life, equality before the law, and freedom of expression, form the foundation of human dignity. Yet, these rights are often abused, especially in the realm of social media, where individuals justify harmful speech under the guise of free expression. “People go on social media and abuse anybody and claim that they have freedom of expression,” he noted, cautioning against the misuse of such freedoms.
Momodu delved into the significance of the principle of non-discrimination, which prohibits discrimination based on categories like sex, race, and color. “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights,” he said, referencing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, born out of the atrocities of the Second World War and the Holocaust. He stressed the importance of states’ obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights, especially in their role as state agents.
He also addressed Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to human rights, the role of law enforcement in protecting these rights, and the importance of the right to life, which can only be taken under legal circumstances.
He called for both state agents and individuals to uphold human rights in practice and in law.
Abdul Momodu also spoke on the complexities of law enforcement, the right to bear arms, and the fundamental human rights of both officers and suspects. His speech, filled with real-world examples and legal interpretations, shed light on the delicate balance between security and human dignity.
He discussed the circumstances under which force is permitted by law. Using the example of a jailbreak, he explained that an officer, when faced with an imminent threat, has the legal right to use a firearm if reasonably necessary. “If the suspect is running away, there’s a jailbreak, and you shoot the suspect in the head, and he dies-that’s the right to bear arms,” he said, emphasizing the legal justification of force in extreme cases.
However, he quickly transitioned to the importance of human dignity, arguing that even within the scope of law enforcement, officers must respect the rights of individuals. “Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person,” he stated, citing that no one should be subiected to inhuman or degrading treatment, including suspects in custody.
The retired commander also touched on the principle of fair trial and due process.
He underscored that every individual is entitled to personal liberty, which can only be deprived under specific legal conditions. “The right to liberty is about the sweetest right,” he noted, explaining that an arrest must always be backed by a detention order to be considered legal.
He urged officers to be knowledgeable about the law to handle legal challenges effectively and emphasized the importance of fair trials and accountability. Highlighting the balance between security and justice, calling for ethical law enforcement practices.
Abdul Momodu, also emphasized the importance of fair trials, legal transparency, and human rights in law enforcement. He highlighted that evidence in criminal cases should not be secret and must be disclosed to suspects. He stressed the need for public hearings, except in sensitive cases requiring witness protection.
Momodu warned against discrimination in law enforcement and noted that legal violations during arrests or arraignments could lead to case dismissals or lawsuits against officers and agencies.
He urged law enforcement to understand legal processes and human rights to ensure justice is served fairly and lawfully.
Abdul Momodu, called on law enforcement agencies to uphold constitutional provisions on detention and respect for human rights. Speaking during the training session for officers, he emphasized that no suspect should be detained beyond 24 hours without legal justification, and agencies must grant administrative bail if investigations cannot be completed promptly.
He criticized the practice of detaining suspects indefinitely while claiming a lack of resources to care for them, stating,
“Keeping them and claiming you don’t have money is irreconcilable. The law provides for a maximum of 28 days with court approval, and after that, no more.”
Momodu also clarified the role of the military in law enforcement, explaining that they are not authorized to arrest, investigate, or prosecute. However, due to Nigeria’s internal security challenges, the military is often called in for support, particularly in cases involving armed threats like banditry. “The police are the lead agency in internal security operations, but when they need additional force, the military steps in under police directives,” he noted.
Addressing concerns about unlawful detentions and abuses, he reaffirmed that every suspect has fundamental human rights that must be upheld. He recounted past encounters where officers resisted these legal requirements, arguing that they impeded operations. However, he reminded them that their powers come from the law and must be exercised accordingly.
“The Federal Republic of Nigeria is your employer. If you cannot do the job as prescribed by law, you leave,” he stated firmly.
Momodu expressed hope that this training sessions would lead to better service delivery and improved treatment of citizens by security personnel. He emphasized that respect for human rights is not optional but a legal obligation, urging officers to uphold justice while performing their duties.
In an interview at the retreat, Dr segun oke, a retired Deputy Commander General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has emphasized the importance of mentoring in law enforcement as a key tool for improving officer performance.
Speaking as a facilitator at the NDLEA
Lagos Strategic Command retreat, Dr.
Moke highlighted that the program serves as a form of training designed to enhance the competence and effectiveness of officers.
“This retreat is another name for training,” he stated. “Training is essential, just like a farmer sharpening his tools before heading to the farm. Officers are the tools the agency uses to achieve its purpose, so continuous learning and development are necessary for optimal performance.”
Dr Segun Oke who last served as the zonal commander in Lagos before his retirement, stressed that mentoring plays a critical role in shaping the careers of law enforcement officers. He explained that mentoring involves knowledge transfer from experienced officers to younger personnel, fostering skill development and professional growth.
“My discussion with them will focus on how to use mentoring as a tool for development-both for themselves and their subordinates,” he said. “It is a process where someone with higher knowledge and experience helps new officers grow.
By adopting mentoring skills, officers can strengthen their confidence and improve their work output.
When asked to compare his time in service with the present, Dr Segun Oke stated that he could not make a direct comparison, as he retired just 100 days ago. However, he expressed optimism that the mentoring techniques discussed during the retreat would help officers navigate challenges and adapt to changes in law enforcement.
Dr Segun Oke concluded by emphasizing that mentoring is an evolving process, much like a parent guiding a child. “You cannot always predict what will be new in a mentoring relationship,” he noted. “But by providing the right tools and knowledge, officers can continue to develop and perform better in their roles.”
The NDLEA Lagos Strategic Command retreat continues with a series of training sessions aimed at enhancing officers’ capacity to combat drug-related crimes and maintain law and order.
