The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have signed a comprehensive collaborative framework aimed at tightening Nigeria’s borders against illicit drug flows and transnational organized crime.
The agreement was formalized on Monday, April 27, 2026, at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja, where the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, endorsed a joint communiqué outlining the partnership.
According to a statement by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, both agencies acknowledged the growing sophistication of cross-border criminal networks, stressing the need for a coordinated and intelligence-driven response.
The new framework is designed to eliminate operational overlaps, reduce inter-agency friction, and ensure seamless intelligence sharing between both institutions.
Key elements of the agreement include the establishment of a secure platform for exchanging actionable intelligence to preempt criminal activities, and the creation of joint task forces at strategic entry and exit points, guided by clearly defined leadership structures.
The communiqué also emphasizes respect for the statutory roles of each agency to prevent undue interference, while introducing a Standing Inter-Agency Committee to swiftly resolve operational disputes.
Additionally, the partnership will enhance collaboration across seaports, airports, and land borders, with a focus on strengthening enforcement efforts without disrupting legitimate trade.
Marwa and Adeniyi described the initiative as a critical national security priority, noting that aligning the operational strengths of both agencies would significantly bolster Nigeria’s capacity to curb illicit drug trafficking and safeguard its borders.
