By Oluwakemi Kindness
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Customs Service have signed a comprehensive collaborative framework aimed at strengthening inter-agency synergy and enhancing efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime in Nigeria.
The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting where both agencies through a communiqué acknowledged that the growing complexity of transnational organised crime, particularly drug trafficking, requires a more coordinated and sophisticated institutional response.
The communiqué signed on Monday by NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba-Marwa, and Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, notes that the newly established framework is designed to streamline operations, eliminate overlaps, reduce inter-agency friction, and ensure a seamless flow of intelligence.
According to a statement on Tuesday by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, key areas of immediate cooperation include the establishment of a structured and secure platform for sharing actionable intelligence to preempt criminal activities, as well as the formation of joint task forces at critical operational points, guided by clearly defined leadership and operational protocols.
The agreement also emphasises respect for the statutory roles and jurisdictions of each agency to prevent undue interference. In addition, a Standing Inter-Agency Committee is to be constituted to promptly and amicably resolve operational disagreements.
Further provisions highlight the need for closer collaboration at seaports, airports, and land borders to strengthen enforcement efforts while avoiding duplication and ensuring that legitimate trade is not disrupted.
Both Marwa and Adeniyi reiterated that the partnership is in the national interest, noting that aligning the capabilities of both agencies will enhance Nigeria’s security architecture and create a stronger barrier against the trafficking of illicit substances.
