Marwa Declares War On Drug Cartels
OpenLife News reports that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form strategic alliance against transnational drug trafficking networks operating along Nigeria–Australia drug route, with Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) declaring war on drug cartels.
The MoU formalises existing cooperation between two agencies into structured strategic alliance against transnational drug trafficking networks operating along Nigeria–Australia drug route.
Speaking at signing ceremony held at NDLEA national headquarters, Abuja on Monday 2nd November 2026, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described MoU as “a declaration of war against transnational drug cartels that think they can hide between continents.”
He said that with AFP’s global reach and NDLEA’s operational doggedness, he was confident two agencies would make Australia–Nigeria drug route “extremely hostile and unprofitable for traffickers.”
Four Areas NDLEA, Australian Police Will Collaborate
Under agreement, both agencies will cooperate in four critical areas: exchange of information and intelligence; joint and coordinated operations; capacity building and professional development; and controlled delivery.
Marwa noted that MoU came at time when drug trafficking had become highly transnational, highly organised and highly sophisticated, with Nigerian organised crime groups increasingly linked to Australia–Pacific drug route, especially for methamphetamine and cocaine.
“Nigeria is being exploited as a transit and sourcing hub, but no single country can fight this alone,” he stated.
According to him, “we hope that this MoU being signed today will lead to major joint seizures, arrests of high-value targets, and successful controlled deliveries.
“Now, this MoU is renewable and is a declaration of war against transnational drug cartels that think they can hide between continents.
“With the AFP’s global reach and NDLEA’s operational doggedness, I am confident that we will make the Australia-Nigeria drug route extremely hostile and unprofitable for traffickers. And we look forward to immediate implementation.”
Recent NDLEA Seizures That Led To AFP Partnership
The NDLEA boss cited recent successes that underscore need for partnership. These include seizure of 184.5 kilograms of cocaine meant for export; takedown of four methamphetamine laboratories, with Mexican nationals embedded in them, in recent months, one of which yielded seizures valued at over 360 million US dollars; and dismantling, after over year of joint work with US DEA as well as French, Greek and Swiss police, of Switzerland-based cartel of Nigerian, Simon Amadi, whose assets in Nigeria have also been targeted.
Australian Police Commends NDLEA, Says Partnership Is Force Multiplier
In her remarks, head of AFP delegation, Ms Sandra Booth, said fighting drugs is whole-of-society problem that requires whole-of-society solution. She commended NDLEA for addressing whole spectrum of problem, from prevention to enforcement.
She described relationships NDLEA has built with other countries, many of which are also AFP partners, as commendable, saying partnership would serve as “a force multiplier” in fight against “this abhorrent trade.”
Ms Booth explained that organised crime groups are increasingly using drugs to fund other serious crimes through “crime as a service” model, drawing young and vulnerable people into offences such as delivering and transporting drugs and even violent attacks on rivals. Beyond addiction, crippling of families and destabilising of communities, she said trade was fuelling more violence, gangland wars 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, adding that Australia wants to be part of solution by working to prevent trafficking of drugs to country and protecting its youth and vulnerable people.
“It is so absolutely necessary that we work together as a team, that we are forceful, that we are committed, that we show integrity, and we hunt as a pack.
“And I am very proud that we can now be part of your pack,” Ms Booth stated.
The ceremony was witnessed by Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Leilani Bin-Juda; Deputy High Commissioner, Timothy Milikan and other members of AFP delegation: Andrea Humphrys and Susan Gray as well as top officials of NDLEA management.
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