NDLEA Praises Customs for Intensifying Efforts Against Drug Trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has lauded the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its sustained fight against drug trafficking and smuggling across the country’s borders. The agency described Customs’ recent operations and seizures as a major boost to Nigeria’s overall anti-narcotics campaign and a demonstration of effective inter-agency collaboration.

The commendation came following a series of high-profile interceptions of illicit drugs and substances by Customs operatives in various commands across the country, particularly at seaports, airports, and land borders. These operations, according to the NDLEA, have helped prevent large volumes of narcotics from entering Nigerian communities and have also disrupted the activities of several transnational drug cartels.

Speaking in Abuja, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), praised the leadership of the Customs Service for maintaining vigilance and professionalism in combating the smuggling of controlled substances. He noted that recent seizures of cannabis, tramadol, codeine, and other prohibited drugs by Customs officers have complemented NDLEA’s operations in curbing the rising threat of drug abuse and trafficking.

“Customs has continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders from the inflow of illicit drugs. Their proactive intelligence and operational success in intercepting narcotics show that our collective security institutions are increasingly aligned in purpose,” Marwa said.

He further highlighted that NDLEA and Customs have been working closely through intelligence-sharing and joint operations to ensure that Nigeria does not become a transit point for global drug syndicates. The NDLEA boss emphasized that the success of such collaboration lies in the trust and synergy between both agencies.

On his part, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, expressed appreciation for the recognition from NDLEA, stating that the fight against drug smuggling remains a national priority for the Service. He reaffirmed Customs’ dedication to protecting Nigeria’s economic and social well-being through robust enforcement measures and cross-agency partnerships.

Adeniyi explained that the Service’s anti-smuggling efforts are driven by intelligence-based operations and continuous capacity building for officers. “Our personnel are being trained to identify and intercept dangerous consignments, especially illicit drugs, which pose serious threats to national security and public health. The collaboration with NDLEA and other security agencies is key to sustaining these results,” he said.

Recent reports show that the Nigeria Customs Service made several record-breaking drug seizures in the last quarter, including the interception of containers filled with cannabis sativa and psychotropic substances at the Tin Can Island Port and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. In some cases, the seized drugs were valued in billions of naira, underscoring the magnitude of the threat and the effectiveness of enforcement efforts.

An NDLEA field officer who participated in one of the joint operations described the collaboration as “seamless and impactful,” noting that it has led to the dismantling of multiple syndicates operating through Nigeria’s maritime routes. “By combining NDLEA’s intelligence resources with Customs’ operational reach, we are able to identify, track, and stop these shipments before they reach the streets,” the officer said.

Experts in security and narcotics control have also hailed the growing partnership between the two agencies. Dr. Efe Obasohan, a criminologist at the University of Lagos, said that the synergy between NDLEA and Customs is crucial for reducing the inflow of drugs into the country. “No single agency can tackle the drug trade alone. The Customs Service controls the entry points, while the NDLEA focuses on enforcement within. Their combined efforts have produced visible results,” he remarked.

The NDLEA Chairman also noted that both agencies are planning to deepen their partnership through capacity development and technology deployment. This includes data sharing, joint surveillance systems, and the use of scanning technologies to detect concealed drugs in shipments. “Technology will play a key role in enhancing border control and ensuring that traffickers find it increasingly difficult to beat the system,” Marwa added.

He reiterated that the NDLEA remains committed to dismantling drug networks and supporting law enforcement partners in protecting the nation’s borders. The agency, he said, will continue to complement the Customs Service’s efforts by targeting domestic distributors and street-level dealers.

The renewed collaboration has drawn praise from stakeholders, including civil society organizations, who view it as a model for inter-agency cooperation. They emphasized that tackling drug trafficking requires sustained coordination, funding, and policy support from the government.

Meanwhile, the NDLEA and Customs are also working with international partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Customs Organization (WCO), to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-drug framework. The partnerships aim to enhance intelligence sharing, improve detection capabilities, and promote global best practices in border management.

Marwa, while reaffirming NDLEA’s commitment, warned traffickers that Nigeria’s borders are no longer open to drug smuggling. “Those who think they can use our country as a transit route will continue to face disappointment. Our officers, in collaboration with Customs, are on high alert and will not relent,” he said.

As Nigeria continues to battle the twin challenges of drug trafficking and abuse, the collaboration between NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service represents a vital step toward ensuring a drug-free society. Both agencies have pledged to sustain their joint operations, maintain intelligence coordination, and reinforce national security through continuous vigilance and integrity in service.