Customs, NDLEA Set Up Joint Committee to Deepen Anti-Drug Crackdown, Strengthen Accountability
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have agreed to constitute a joint committee aimed at reinforcing their operational alliance against narcotics trafficking and organised crime, following a high-level strategic meeting in Abuja.
The meeting, held on Monday, 27 April 2026, at the NDLEA Headquarters in Jahi, brought together the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, alongside senior officials from both agencies. Discussions centred on enhancing coordination, tightening accountability in seized narcotics cases, and establishing a more robust enforcement framework.
Speaking during the meeting, Adeniyi emphasised that Nigeria’s anti-drug fight has assumed a broader international dimension, noting that the country’s credibility among global partners depends significantly on the effectiveness of domestic enforcement collaboration.
“I came here directly from international engagements in Europe and Asia, and at every table narcotics trafficking remained a major issue. The West African corridor is under serious watch,” he stated.
He further warned that agreements reached with international partners would hold little value without corresponding operational credibility at home. “If intelligence shared with Nigeria is not pursued to interception, prosecution and destruction, our standing is weakened,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs boss highlighted the Service’s continued success in intercepting illicit drugs and transferring such seizures to the NDLEA, particularly through key operational commands such as Apapa.
However, he stressed that enforcement must go beyond seizures, calling for a more comprehensive approach that ensures accountability throughout the lifecycle of each case.
“Interdiction is only the first act of enforcement, not the last. Where narcotics are transferred but not promptly destroyed, where prosecution advances without feedback, and where exhibits are separated from originating officers, then the chain of enforcement is incomplete,” he remarked.
To address these gaps, Adeniyi proposed a new collaborative framework that would include joint destruction of seized drugs where suspects are not apprehended, regular case status updates, coordinated court proceedings, and the establishment of standing liaison channels at various command levels.
“We have not come here to apportion blame. We have come to design the next phase of a partnership that has carried Nigeria this far and must now carry it further,” he added.
In his response, Marwa acknowledged the concerns raised by the Customs leadership, describing them as both legitimate and timely. He reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and strengthened institutional cooperation.
“The concerns relating to post-transfer accountability, prosecution outcomes and disposal processes are valid concerns. We must move beyond ceremonial handovers to a structured and mandatory reporting framework under which NDLEA provides formal updates on investigations, prosecutions and final disposal of Customs-originated seizures,” he said.
Marwa subsequently proposed the immediate establishment of a joint committee tasked with reviewing grey areas in the existing Memorandum of Understanding between both agencies.
He explained that the committee would recommend clearer operational procedures and, where necessary, draft a supplementary agreement for approval by the leadership of both organisations.
“Today’s meeting is timely. It gives us the opportunity to discuss areas of concern frankly and strengthen our collaboration,” he noted.
The formation of the joint committee is expected to usher in a more coordinated and transparent anti-drug enforcement regime, reinforcing Nigeria’s resolve to combat narcotics trafficking while enhancing its standing within the global security and law enforcement community.
