ASHENEWS reports that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have established dedicated liaison teams to enhance collaboration and joint operations.
The partnership, which seeks to curb the interconnected crimes of drug trafficking, human trafficking, and substance abuse was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the Director, Media & Advocacy at the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi.
The statement noted that the renewed partnership was the key outcome of a strategic meeting between the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), and the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, who led her management team on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
The Director-General of the NDLEA, while welcoming the NAPTIP team, commended her swift action in addressing critical national issues.
Marwa, who stressed the strong link between human and drug trafficking, said, “Some victims of human trafficking are exploited as drug mules—sometimes unknowingly. They may have narcotics sewn into their bags or be drugged to ensure compliance. This is why we must collaborate further, ideally through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that clearly defines areas of cooperation.”
He assured NAPTIP of NDLEA’s commitment to strengthening the partnership and announced the formation of a three-member liaison team to work closely with NAPTIP’s counterpart team on mutually agreed areas.
Also speaking, the NAPTIP head emphasized the urgency of coordinated action between both agencies, citing the increasing convergence of drug and human trafficking activities.
“Women and children are being used as couriers. Victims are often drugged and subjected to substance abuse as a means of control. Both crimes thrive on the same enablers—porous borders, corruption, poverty, weak institutions, and the digital space,” she noted.
She proposed several key areas for collaboration including joint investigations, intelligence sharing, cross-training, technology integration, legal reform, and public awareness campaigns.
She also recommended the development of a joint strategic action plan, regular bilateral reviews, and expanded international partnerships.
“NAPTIP is fully committed to partnership, professionalism, and patriotic service. We believe that together, we can disrupt criminal networks and protect vulnerable Nigerians,” she affirmed.
