NDLEA Tightens Noose on Drug Barons, Cartels with Enhanced Maritime Operations

…Marwa commissions marine facility as UK Government reaffirms support for Nigeria’s drug war

The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has highlighted the agency’s strengthened capacity within Nigeria’s maritime space, a move aimed at intensifying the fight against illicit drug trafficking.

Marwa made this assertion on Wednesday, 16th October 2024, during the commissioning of the NDLEA Marine Command Headquarters in Lagos, a facility built and donated by the British Government.

The NDLEA boss expressed deep gratitude to the British High Commission for its pivotal role in supporting Nigeria’s anti-narcotic efforts, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in the fight against drug cartels. 

“The timely delivery of this project and the high standard of the finished work speak volumes about the commitment of the British Government to support our efforts,” he remarked. 

This facility, along with a state-of-the-art edifice at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, also provided by the British Government, is part of a broader UK-backed initiative aimed at bolstering the NDLEA’s capacity.

“With over 80 per cent of global trade moving through maritime routes, the drug trade has increasingly exploited the complexity of international waters for trafficking,” Marwa pointed out. 

He said West Africa, particularly Nigeria, remains a critical transit region for narcotics, as evidenced by several recent cases involving merchant vessels and cargo containers from South America.

“The recent operational successes of the NDLEA in intercepting 61,688.79 kg of various drugs and arresting 41 suspects at seaports and waterways justify our decision to upgrade the Marine Unit to a full-fledged command in 2022,” Marwa said. 

These efforts, according to him, have contributed to the seizure of at least 750 tonnes of illicit substances, ranging from cocaine to methamphetamine, further tightening the noose on drug barons and cartels.

The British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter, in his remarks, justified the UK Government’s support for the NDLEA, citing a rise in drug detections in both Nigeria and the UK. 

“There is a clear need for us to work collaboratively to tackle drug trafficking, and our joint efforts are yielding results. We are preventing more drugs from crossing borders and disrupting more gangs,” he stated. 

Baxter emphasised that the ongoing collaboration would continue to disrupt the global drug trade.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the State Government, praised the NDLEA for its role in safeguarding Lagos from drug-related crimes. 

“The presence of the NDLEA in Lagos has been instrumental in curbing the illegal drug trade, and today’s commissioning of the Marine Command Headquarters marks a milestone in our collective fight against these crimes,” Sanwo-Olu noted.

As drug cartels continue to adapt, Marwa called for enhanced cooperation among all security agencies involved in maritime law enforcement, stressing the need for constant surveillance of vessels on Nigeria’s waterways. 

He applauded the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Customs Service, and other agencies for their synergy with the NDLEA, contributing to recent operational successes.

The commissioning of the Marine Command Headquarters signifies a crucial step in bolstering Nigeria’s capacity to combat the evolving threats of maritime drug trafficking.