(Buba Marwa. photo credit: state house abuja)
According to Buba Marwa, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), increased security and anti-drug operations have made it very difficult for illegal substances to be smuggled through Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
In the battle against drug trafficking, Marwa characterized the Lagos airport as one of the world’s most closely watched airports.
During a research tour centered on the agency’s operating tactics on Tuesday, he made the statements at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja while entertaining a group from the Narcotics Control Commission, led by its Director-General, Maxwell Obuba Mantey.
Marwa asserts that in order to combat the growing threat posed by drug trafficking and related criminal activity in the West African region, Nigeria and Ghana must work together more closely.
“We understand that we are effectively reducing the space for criminal cartels to operate within our sub-region by coming together to share expertise in intelligence-led operations and interdiction strategies,” he stated.
He described the visit as part of attempts to strengthen strategic cooperation between both anti-drug agencies, pointing out that it goes beyond a typical study tour.
According to Marwa, the collaboration would allow both parties to share ideas about digital forensics, institutional best practices, and intelligence gathering.
Improved cooperation, he continued, would strengthen efforts to break up illegal drug networks, stop the manufacture of psychotropic drugs, and address money laundering associated with drug trafficking.
In order to formalize their collaboration, NDLEA and NACOC signed a Memorandum of Understanding, or MoU, during the visit.
The pact, according to Marwa, is a major step toward bolstering coordinated efforts against narcotics syndicates that operate in the area.
“We have a legal and practical roadmap thanks to this agreement on fighting the illegal production of psychotropic chemicals, their precursors, and related money laundering operations. It transforms our connection from a casual consultation to an organized, combative, and cohesive front against drug dealers, he stated.
Mantey said in his remarks that the visit was meant to strengthen the two nations’ current relationship and enhance operational cooperation.
Therefore, he explained, “for us, this visit is not about starting a new chapter, but about strengthening an already solid foundation, deepening trust, exchanging experiences, and making our collaboration even more practical and impactful.”
He added that the region’s drug trafficking operations are become more complex, necessitating more robust cross-border collaborations to successfully counter new threats.
