The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have agreed to deepen collaboration in the fight against narcotics trafficking by constituting a joint committee to streamline enforcement, accountability and post‑seizure procedures. The decision followed a high‑level meeting between the Comptroller‑General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), held on Monday, 27 April 2026, at the NDLEA Headquarters in Jahi, Abuja.
At the meeting, CGC Adeniyi emphasised that tackling drug trafficking now extends beyond domestic enforcement, noting that Nigeria’s credibility with international partners hinges on how effectively local agencies coordinate. He said narcotics trafficking remains a major concern in global security dialogues, particularly in discussions over the West African corridor, and warned that the value of international agreements depends on visible results at home. He stressed that seizures, prosecutions and destruction of narcotics must form a clear, traceable chain; otherwise, Nigeria’s operational credibility is weakened.
The Customs boss highlighted that the Service has continued to make major drug seizures and hand over contraband to NDLEA, especially through the Apapa Command and other operational units. However, he said interdiction alone is not enough unless it is matched by strong post‑seizure accountability, timely prosecutions and transparent destruction processes. He proposed a fresh framework between the two agencies, including joint destruction of seized drugs when suspects are not arrested, periodic case‑status reports, coordinated court appearances and permanent liaison channels at command level.
NDLEA Chairman Marwa described the concerns raised by Customs as legitimate and timely, and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency and professional cooperation. He agreed that the current practice of ceremonial handovers should give way to a structured, mandatory reporting framework in which NDLEA provides formal updates on investigations, prosecutions and final disposal of narcotics seized by Customs. The agencies agreed to form a joint committee immediately to review grey areas in the existing Memorandum of Understanding and to recommend clearer procedures or, where necessary, draft a supplementary agreement for approval by both leaderships. Officials said the committee’s work is expected to tighten the enforcement chain, reduce delays in prosecution and ensure that seized drugs do not re‑enter the illicit market.