Customs, NDLEA Inaugurate Joint Committee to Combat Drug Trafficking
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have agreed to establish a joint committee aimed at strengthening coordination in the fight against narcotics trafficking and organised crime.
The decision followed a high-level meeting between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, held on April 27, 2026, at the agency’s headquarters in Jahi.
Discussions at the meeting centred on deepening existing collaboration, improving accountability in narcotics seizure cases, and building a more coordinated enforcement framework between both agencies.
Adeniyi, who led a delegation of senior Customs কর্মকর্তারা, stressed that Nigeria’s credibility in global anti-narcotics efforts depends largely on the effectiveness of domestic inter-agency cooperation. He noted that recent international engagements across Europe and Asia highlighted growing concerns about drug trafficking routes linked to West Africa.
He warned that intelligence shared with Nigeria must consistently lead to interception, prosecution and destruction of illicit substances to maintain the country’s standing with international partners.
The Customs chief acknowledged ongoing seizures and handovers of narcotics to NDLEA, particularly through operational commands such as Apapa, but argued that enforcement must go beyond interdiction.
According to him, gaps in post-seizure processes—including delayed destruction of drugs, lack of prosecution updates, and weak evidence management—undermine the integrity of enforcement efforts.
He proposed a new framework to address these issues, including joint destruction of seized narcotics where suspects are not apprehended, periodic case updates, coordinated court appearances, and strengthened liaison mechanisms at command level.
Responding, Marwa described the concerns raised by Customs as valid and timely, affirming NDLEA’s commitment to transparency and professional cooperation.
He acknowledged the need to move beyond ceremonial handovers to a structured reporting system that ensures regular updates on investigations, prosecutions and final disposal of drug seizures originating from Customs operations.
Marwa said the newly proposed joint committee would review grey areas in the existing Memorandum of Understanding between both agencies and recommend clearer operational procedures. Where necessary, he added, the committee would draft a supplementary agreement for approval by both leaderships.
The move is expected to enhance accountability, improve inter-agency synergy and strengthen Nigeria’s overall response to narcotics trafficking and transnational organised crime.
By TimesNG