The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening operational collaboration to combat international drug trafficking and disrupt funding streams for terrorism and organised crime.
The renewed partnership was highlighted during a bilateral strategic counter-narcotics workshop held at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking at the opening session, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the engagement as timely and strategic, noting that it brings together senior law enforcement officials from Nigeria and the United States to address evolving global drug threats.
Marwa said the workshop is expected to produce a joint declaration of priorities alongside a coordinated 12-month action plan to tackle illicit drug trafficking and associated crimes.
“Our shared objective is to engage in solution-driven discussions that will culminate in a joint declaration of priorities and a coordinated action plan,” he stated.
He warned that the global drug trade has become increasingly complex, with strong links to terrorism and violent extremism—commonly described as narco-terrorism.
According to him, proceeds from illicit drug trafficking are often channelled into financing terrorist activities and procuring weapons that destabilise communities.
“The proceeds from the poison sold on our streets are the same funds used to purchase weapons that destabilise our regions. By attacking the drug trade, we are starving the engines of terrorism,” Marwa added.
The NDLEA boss further noted that Nigeria’s strategic location has made it a key target for international drug cartels, particularly as enforcement pressure in Latin America pushes criminal networks to shift operations towards Africa.
He said Nigeria is increasingly being used as a transit hub for illicit drugs bound for Europe, North America and Asia, underscoring the transnational nature of the threat and the need for enhanced international cooperation.
Marwa commended the United States government for its continued support, stressing that the workshop provides a platform to deepen intelligence sharing, strengthen joint operations and build a unified front against drug trafficking networks.
“The key outcome will be a clearly defined cooperation framework, with Nigeria taking leadership in executing agreed action points within its jurisdiction, while the United States reinforces coordinated responses to shared threats,” he said.
In her remarks, DEA Country Attaché in Nigeria, Daphne Morrison, praised the NDLEA for its recent achievements, including increased seizures, arrests and convictions.
She described the partnership as critical in countering transnational criminal organisations seeking to exploit Nigeria as a major drug trafficking hub.
Morrison noted that the workshop aims to enhance intelligence exchange, expand joint operations and provide specialised training to strengthen the capacity of NDLEA operatives in addressing emerging drug trafficking challenges.
“Our goal is to ensure that collaboration between the DEA and NDLEA remains proactive, seamless and results-driven in disrupting drug financial networks and targeting high-level traffickers,” she said.
Officials from both sides expressed optimism that the outcomes of the workshop would translate into stronger operational synergy, improved intelligence coordination and more effective actions against global drug trafficking networks.
