The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have signed a strategic agreement to dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-Australia route.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on Monday in Abuja, formalises existing cooperation between the two agencies into a structured partnership.
NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, described the agreement as a declaration of war against international drug cartels, expressing confidence that it would make the Australia-Nigeria drug route increasingly hostile and unprofitable for traffickers.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Marwa said drug trafficking had become increasingly transnational, organised and sophisticated, making stronger international cooperation essential.
He noted that Nigerian organised crime groups were becoming increasingly connected to the Australia-Pacific drug route, particularly through methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking.
“Nigeria is being exploited as a transit and sourcing hub, but no single country can fight this alone,” he said.
Marwa expressed hope that the partnership would produce major joint drug seizures, arrests of high-value targets and successful controlled deliveries.
He called for the immediate implementation of the agreement, which provides a renewable framework for sustained cooperation.
Citing recent operations that demonstrated the scale of the threat, the NDLEA chairman disclosed that the agency had seized 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine destined for export and dismantled four methamphetamine laboratories.
He said Mexican nationals were found operating within the laboratories, while one operation resulted in seizures valued at more than 360 million dollars.
Marwa also highlighted the dismantling of a Switzerland-based cartel allegedly led by a Nigerian, Simon Amadi.
According to him, the operation followed more than a year of collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and police authorities in France, Greece and Switzerland. He added that the cartel’s assets in Nigeria had also been targeted.
The Head of the AFP delegation, Sandra Booth, described drug trafficking as a whole-of-society problem requiring a coordinated response.
Booth commended the NDLEA for addressing the menace through prevention, enforcement and international partnerships, describing the new agreement as a “force multiplier” in the fight against the illicit trade.
She warned that organised crime groups were increasingly using drug trafficking to finance other serious offences through a “crime as a service” model.
According to her, the groups recruit young and vulnerable people to deliver drugs, transport illicit substances and carry out violent attacks against rivals.
Booth said the consequences extended beyond addiction, destroying families, destabilising communities and fuelling gang violence and deaths in Australia.
“Whilst Nigeria is a transit country, we are a destination country. And unfortunately for us, people will pay a lot of money for the commodity,” she said.
She reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to preventing drug trafficking into the country and protecting young and vulnerable people, stressing the importance of teamwork, integrity and sustained commitment in dismantling international drug networks.
“I am very proud that we can now be part of your pack,” she said.
The Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, witnessed the signing alongside the Deputy High Commissioner, Timothy Milikan.
Other AFP delegates included Andrea Humphrys and Susan Gray, while senior NDLEA officials also attended the ceremony.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agreement identifies four priority areas of cooperation: intelligence and information sharing, joint operations, capacity building and professional development, and controlled delivery.
