The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and
the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) that formalises existing cooperation between the two agencies into a
structured strategic alliance against transnational drug trafficking networks
operating along the Nigeria–Australia drug route.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the NDLEA
national headquarters, Abuja on Monday 2nd November 2026, Chairman/Chief
Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described
the MoU as "a declaration of war against transnational drug cartels that
think they can hide between continents." He said that with the AFP's
global reach and NDLEA's operational doggedness, he was confident the two
agencies would make the Australia–Nigeria drug route "extremely hostile and
unprofitable for traffickers."
Under the agreement, both agencies will cooperate in
four critical areas: exchange of information and intelligence; joint and
coordinated operations; capacity building and professional development; and
controlled delivery.
Marwa noted that the MoU came at a time when drug
trafficking had become highly transnational, highly organised and highly
sophisticated, with Nigerian organised crime groups increasingly linked to the
Australia–Pacific drug route, especially for methamphetamine and cocaine.
"Nigeria is being exploited as a transit and sourcing hub, but no single
country can fight this alone," he stated.
According to him, “we hope that this MoU being signed
today will lead to major joint seizures, arrests of high-value targets, and
successful controlled deliveries. Now, this MoU is renewable and is a
declaration of war against transnational drug cartels that think they can hide
between continents. With the AFP's global reach and NDLEA's operational
doggedness, I am confident that we will make the Australia-Nigeria drug route
extremely hostile and unprofitable for traffickers. And we look forward to
immediate implementation.”
The NDLEA boss cited recent successes that underscore
the need for the partnership. These include the seizure of 184.5 kilograms of
cocaine meant for export; the takedown of four methamphetamine laboratories,
with Mexican nationals embedded in them, in recent months, one of which yielded
seizures valued at over 360 million US dollars; and the dismantling, after over
a year of joint work with the US DEA as well as French, Greek and Swiss police,
of the Switzerland-based cartel of a Nigerian, Simon Amadi, whose assets in
Nigeria have also been targeted.
In her remarks, the head of the AFP delegation, Ms
Sandra Booth, said fighting drugs is a whole-of-society problem that requires a
whole-of-society solution. She commended the NDLEA for addressing the whole
spectrum of the problem, from prevention to enforcement. She described the
relationships NDLEA has built with other countries, many of which are also AFP
partners, as commendable, saying the partnership would serve as "a force
multiplier" in the fight against "this abhorrent trade."
Ms Booth explained that organised crime groups are
increasingly using drugs to fund other serious crimes through a "crime as
a service" model, drawing young and vulnerable people into offences such
as delivering and transporting drugs and even violent attacks on rivals. Beyond
addiction, the crippling of families and the destabilising of communities, she
said the trade was fuelling more violence, gangland wars and deaths in
Australia.
"Whilst Nigeria is a transit country, we are a
destination country. And unfortunately for us, people will pay a lot of money
for the commodity," she said, adding that Australia wants to be part of
the solution by working to prevent the trafficking of drugs to the country and
protecting its youth and vulnerable people.
"It is so absolutely necessary that we work
together as a team, that we are forceful, that we are committed, that we show
integrity, and we hunt as a pack. And I am very proud that we can now be part
of your pack," Ms Booth stated.
The ceremony was witnessed by Australian High
Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Leilani Bin-Juda; Deputy High Commissioner,
Timothy Milikan and other members of the AFP delegation: Andrea Humphrys and
Susan Gray as well as top officials of the NDLEA management.
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