By attacking illicit drug trade, we’re simultaneously
starving the engines of terrorism, says Marwa
NDLEA’s tremendous strides under Marwa, a testament to
dedication – DEA Country Attaché
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and
the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) have expressed
commitment to strengthening existing partnership to counter the operations of
drug cartels and decimate their capacity to fund and fuel other organized
crimes such as violent extremism and terrorism.
The commitment was made in the opening remarks by the
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd)
and the Country Attaché of DEA in Nigeria, Ms. Daphne Morrison at a bilateral
strategic counter-narcotics workshop at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja on
Tuesday 31st March 2026.
In his remarks, Marwa noted that the workshop is both
strategic and timely. “It is to align law enforcement leadership from Nigeria
and the United States on the most significant drug-related threats affecting
our two countries, as well as the wider international community. Our shared
objective is to engage in frank, solution-driven discussions that will
culminate in a joint declaration of shared priorities and a coordinated action
plan for the next twelve months”, he stated.
While stating that the global drug problem continues
to evolve in complexity and scale, Marwa noted that “of particular concern is
the well-established nexus between illicit drug trafficking and terrorism. Drug
proceeds have become a major source of financing for terrorist networks and
violent extremist groups around the world. This dangerous linkage, rightly
described by the United States as narco-terrorism, poses a grave threat to
global peace, security, and stability. The proceeds from the poison sold on our
streets are the same funds used to purchase the weapons that destabilize our
regions. By attacking the drug trade, we are simultaneously starving the
engines of terrorism.”
According to him, “Nigeria, given its strategic
geographic location, is increasingly being targeted by international drug
trafficking organizations. Recent developments indicate that as enforcement
pressure intensifies on drug cartels in Latin America—particularly by the
President Trump Administration—these criminal networks are shifting their focus
and operations towards Africa, with Nigeria becoming a key transit hub.
“Today, a significant proportion of illicit drugs
entering Nigeria are not intended for local consumption alone; rather, they are
destined for onward trafficking to Europe, North America, and Asia. This
underscores the transnational nature of the threat we face and reinforces the
urgency of coordinated international action.”
The NDLEA boss said the workshop could not have come
at a more critical time because of its unique opportunity to deepen
collaboration, enhance intelligence-driven operations, and build a unified
front against drug cartels and their associated criminal networks.
“The NDLEA is fully committed to this partnership. We
are excited about the prospects it holds and confident that, through sustained
cooperation with the DEA and the broader support of the United States
Government, we can achieve meaningful and measurable outcomes. The output of
this workshop will therefore serve as our operational North Star for the coming
year, with our preparedness to take the lead in the execution of the resulting
Action Plan, ensuring that our local expertise and regional reach are utilized
to their fullest potential.”
While expressing appreciation to the US government for
its consistent support to Nigeria over the years, Marwa noted that the “key
output of this workshop will be a clearly defined framework for cooperation, in
which Nigeria will take leadership in the execution of agreed action points
within its jurisdiction, while the United States will ensure alignment with its
respective national interests and reinforce its commitment to coordinated
action against our common threats. This partnership is not merely symbolic—it
is operational, practical, and results-oriented. In essence, we are here to
synchronize our intelligence, our tactics, and our vision. As such, this is not
merely a diplomatic exercise; it is a strategic necessity.”
He urged participants to approach the sessions with
openness, strategic focus, and a shared sense of responsibility. “Let us remain
focused on the lives we are saving and the security we are restoring. The
success of this workshop will not be measured merely by the quality of
discussions, but by the effectiveness of the actions we take afterward.
Together, we can disrupt trafficking networks, dismantle criminal enterprises,
and safeguard our societies from the devastating impact of illicit drugs”, he
stated.
In her remarks, the DEA Country Attaché, Ms. Daphne
Morrison expressed appreciation to NDLEA for choosing to host the workshop
while acknowledging the tremendous successes recorded by the Agency under
Marwa’s leadership.
According to her, “I would like to start by
acknowledging the tremendous strides NDLEA has made under the leadership of
Chairman Marwa. The record-breaking seizures, arrests, and convictions over the
past few years are a testament to his dedication and the successes of his war
against drug abuse.”
Speaking on the significance of the partnership
between NDLEA and DEA as well as the workshop, Ms. Morrison said “When I was
posted here almost a year ago, one of my top priorities was to meet with
Chairman Marwa to reaffirm the US DEA’s commitment to this critical
partnership. This workshop is not merely a meeting—it is a declaration of our
unified stand against transnational criminal organizations that seek to turn
Nigeria into a drug trafficking hub.”
“We are here to align our efforts for 2026. Our goal
is to ensure that the collaboration between the DEA and NDLEA is a seamless
transition: proactive and geared toward results, disrupting drug financial
networks, and taking down high-level targets. This workshop will allow us to
focus on strengthening intelligence sharing, enhancing joint operations, and
providing training that empowers NDLEA operatives to take on these complex
modern challenges”, she added.
The DEA Country Attaché noted that “the strength of
our partnership lies in our shared responsibility and collective action”, while
calling on participants from both sides to use the opportunity provided by the
workshop “to build a robust, actionable, and innovative strategy to protect our
communities, empower our personnel, and secure a safer future for Nigeria and
the United States.”
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