No less than 650 operatives of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency on Saturday graduated from the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Kaduna State.

The NDLEA said the training was to scale up its preparedness to intensify the war against illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria.

A spokesperson for the agency, Femi Babafemi, stated after the graduation that the agency’s chairman, Buba Marwa, admonished the operatives to bear in mind that the training was a milestone in their careers.

Mr Marwa was represented at the graduation by his Special Adviser, retired Col. Yakubu Bako.

“This specialised training and the skill acquired will no doubt enhance your competence in the special role you are playing for the agency in the war against illicit drugs.

“It is important that I should remind you that as the agency scales its operation against illicit drug trafficking, your service will become increasingly essential to the successful attainment of our organisational goals,’’ Mr Marwa said.

He said that the progress report received and the on-the-spot assessment conducted confirmed that the objective of the course had been achieved.

The training, he said, was also to add strength and purpose to NDLEA’s drug supply reduction effort as the operatives were expected to provide cover for other officers and men of NDLEA who work in dangerous terrains.

(NAN)