- Marwa and Adeniyi laud joint efforts as customs transfers illicit substances to anti-narcotic agency
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, have praised the collaborative efforts between their respective agencies. Both leaders emphasized that the synergy serves as a formidable deterrent to drug cartels, signaling the continuous erosion of their investments in illicit trade.
The acknowledgment came during a ceremony at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Customs CG Adeniyi led his team in handing over illicit drugs seized during a joint examination conducted by NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies. These actions were based on credible intelligence received from international partners.
NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, relayed the sentiments of Marwa, who, in his remarks, asserted, “The handing over of seized illicit drugs in the custody of the Nigeria Customs Service is a testament to the hard work and diligence of our security agencies tasked with securing the nation. This collaboration between NDLEA and Customs, along with other security agencies and port stakeholders, sends a strong signal to drug cartels that our ports and Nigeria will not be a safe haven for their criminal activities.”
Marwa expressed gratitude to the Customs leadership, officers, and men for their collaboration across various areas of responsibility. He stressed that the partnership between NDLEA and Customs would enhance efforts to close loopholes that criminals may exploit to smuggle illicit items into the country.
The NDLEA Chairman also commended the diligence of the Tin Can Command of NDLEA and other special units involved in tracking the containers carrying the seized drugs. He highlighted the seamless sharing of intelligence between NDLEA and Customs, ensuring the containers underwent a thorough 100 percent examination.
Marwa assured the public that NDLEA, Nigeria Customs, and other security organizations remain steadfast in protecting the country’s territorial integrity.
In response, Customs CG Adeniyi emphasized the effectiveness of collaborative efforts with NDLEA in pooling resources and intelligence to safeguard the nation’s borders. He stated, “The ongoing collaborative efforts between the NCS and the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have consistently yielded positive results. This collaborative synergy exemplifies the effectiveness of pooling resources and intelligence, reinforcing the commitment of both agencies to safeguarding the nation’s borders and protecting its citizens from the threats posed by illegal substances.”
The items handed over during the ceremony included 65 packets of Colorado, a strain of cannabis; 17 parcels of cocaine; 151 parcels of Colorado; precursor chemicals, among others, seized from containers imported from Canada and South Africa. The joint efforts underscored the commitment of NDLEA and Customs to tackling the menace of drug trafficking and safeguarding national security.
