The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Customs Service have signed a comprehensive collaborative framework to streamline operations and strengthen inter-agency synergy against illicit drugs and organized crime. The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting at NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, 27 April 2026, with a communiqué signed by NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) and Customs Comptroller General Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Both agencies noted that the rising complexity of transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, demands a more sophisticated, united response. The new framework is designed to eliminate operational overlaps, reduce inter-agency friction, and enable seamless intelligence flow. Marwa and Adeniyi reaffirmed their commitment to mutual respect and professionalism while safeguarding national security and facilitating lawful trade.
Key areas of cooperation include a structured, secure platform for exchanging actionable intelligence to preempt crime; joint task forces at critical intersection points with clear leadership and operational guidelines; and respect for each agency’s legal functions to avoid interference. The communiqué also provides for a Standing Inter-Agency Committee to resolve operational disagreements promptly, and closer collaboration at seaports, airports, and land borders to ensure efficient enforcement without duplicating efforts or delaying legitimate trade.
