Felix Temitope, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has reaffirmed the agency's commitment to curbing drug trafficking in Nigeria, particularly within the maritime space. This assertion was made on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, during the commissioning of the NDLEA Marine Command Headquarters in Lagos, a facility funded and built by the British government.
In his address, Marwa emphasized the significance of the enhanced marine operations in the agency’s fight against drug cartels and barons who exploit Nigeria's waterways and seaports. He noted that the maritime space has increasingly become a critical front in the war against drug trafficking. "The bolstered capacity of the NDLEA in the maritime sector will further tighten the noose on drug barons and cartels," he said, citing recent successes in arrests and seizures on the waterways.
The newly commissioned Marine Command Headquarters is the latest contribution from the British government to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-narcotics efforts. According to Marwa, the facility complements other ongoing support initiatives, including infrastructure development, capacity-building programs, and provision of equipment by the UK's Home Office International Operations.
Marwa expressed gratitude to the British government for its unwavering support, stating that it has significantly boosted the NDLEA’s operational success. "Not quite long ago, a similar edifice was handed over to NDLEA at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. These efforts, alongside other collaborations, have resulted in phenomenal drug seizures and arrests," he said.
The NDLEA boss highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by drug trafficking in the region, citing a recent report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). West Africa remains a major transit route for narcotics, particularly from South America. In the last two years, at least four trafficking cases involving merchant ships were recorded, further underscoring the vulnerability of Nigeria’s maritime corridor to illicit drug activities.
"The recent successes we have achieved on our waterways justify the decision we made in 2022 to upgrade the Marine Unit to a full-fledged command. Since then, we have intercepted over 61,688 kilograms of various drugs and arrested 41 suspects, 15 of whom have already been prosecuted and jailed," Marwa revealed.
The NDLEA chief called for continued collaboration among maritime law enforcement agencies to combat the increasing complexity of drug trafficking. He pointed out that aside from merchant ships, smaller vessels such as yachts and fishing trawlers are now being used by traffickers. "Countering this threat requires intense coastal monitoring and collaboration among security agencies to track, search, and profile the various vessels on our waterways," Marwa added.
He extended his appreciation to key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Customs Service, and Civil Defence Corps, for their ongoing cooperation with the NDLEA in the fight against drug trafficking.
Speaking at the event, British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonny Baxter, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to combat drug trafficking. "We’ve seen an increase in drug detections both in Nigeria and the UK, which underscores the need for collaborative efforts. Together, we are disrupting more gangs and preventing drugs from crossing our borders," Baxter said.
He emphasized that the fight against drug trafficking benefits both countries and has a direct impact on the lives of those affected by the crime.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, commended the NDLEA for its critical role in curbing the illegal drug trade in Lagos. He noted that the presence of the agency in the state has significantly enhanced security and well-being.
"Today's commissioning of the NDLEA Marine Command Headquarters marks a significant milestone in our collective fight against drug-related crimes. It highlights the importance of international cooperation in tackling the global challenge of drug trafficking," the governor stated.
The facility's commissioning reinforces the growing partnership between Nigeria and the UK in the fight against narcotics and signals a new phase in the NDLEA's maritime operations aimed at dismantling drug cartels and ensuring a safer Nigeria.