Nigeria and the US Strengthen Partnership to Combat Narco-Terrorism
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have reaffirmed their commitment to tackle international drug cartels and cut off funding sources for terrorism and other organised crimes. The renewed partnership was solidified during a bilateral strategic counter-narcotics workshop held at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. Maj. Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, described the workshop as both strategic and timely, bringing together law enforcement leadership from Nigeria and the US to address evolving global drug threats.
Marwa noted that the meeting aims to produce a joint declaration of priorities and a coordinated action plan for the next 12 months to tackle illicit drug trafficking and related crimes. He warned that the global drug trade has grown increasingly complex and now has strong links with terrorism and violent extremism, a phenomenon widely referred to as narco-terrorism. Marwa explained that proceeds from illicit drug trafficking are often used by criminal groups to fund terrorist activities and procure weapons that destabilise communities.
Nigeria's strategic geographic location has made it a key target for international drug trafficking organisations. The NDLEA boss said recent enforcement pressure on drug cartels in Latin America has forced many of the criminal networks to shift their operations towards Africa, with Nigeria increasingly being used as a transit hub for drugs destined for Europe, North America and Asia.
