Nigeria and US AFRICOM Deepen Cooperation Against Illicit Drug Trafficking

Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and related security threats.

The renewed partnership was discussed on Tuesday when a US AFRICOM delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

During the meeting, Marwa expressed appreciation for the continued support Nigeria receives from the United States and other international partners. He emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation, noting the growing link between the illegal drug trade and terrorism, organized crime, and broader security challenges facing the country.

Leading the delegation, Philip Esch, who serves as the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) liaison to AFRICOM, described the relationship between the NDLEA and the US-DEA as both strategic and critical. He said the partnership goes beyond routine cooperation and remains a key priority for the US government, while commending Marwa’s leadership and openness to international collaboration.

Another member of the delegation, James Elseth, highlighted the NDLEA’s impact, stating that the agency’s work in Nigeria contributes significantly to regional and global security. He praised the NDLEA for the effective maintenance of equipment and facilities previously provided by the US government.

Elseth also disclosed that additional support initiatives are underway, including two major projects, alongside continued training programmes and other capacity-building efforts aimed at further strengthening the agency’s operational effectiveness.