NDLEA, Customs Sign Pact to Strengthen Border Fight Against Drug Trafficking

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Customs Service have signed a collaborative framework aimed at strengthening border security and improving coordination against drug trafficking and organised crime.

The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

According to a statement signed by NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, the communiqué was endorsed by NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa and Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

Both agencies said the growing complexity of transnational organised crime, including drug trafficking, required a more coordinated institutional response.

They noted that the new framework is expected to reduce operational overlap, limit inter-agency disputes and improve intelligence sharing.

Key areas of cooperation include the creation of a secure platform for the exchange of actionable intelligence, joint task forces at strategic points, and clearly defined leadership structures for combined operations.

The agreement also provides for respect for the statutory roles of each agency, the establishment of a standing inter-agency committee to resolve disputes, and closer collaboration at seaports, airports and land borders.

Marwa and Adeniyi said the partnership was in the national interest and would strengthen Nigeria’s ability to block illicit drugs while facilitating lawful trade.

The two agencies added that combining their operational strengths would improve security at the country’s entry and exit points.