Nigeria, Ghana deepen anti-drug partnership to combat trafficking cartels

Africa, Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) of Ghana have strengthened bilateral cooperation against drug trafficking and related transnational crimes in West Africa.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, stated this on Tuesday while receiving a Ghanaian delegation led by NACOC Director General, Maxwell Obuba Mantey, during a benchmarking visit and study tour of the agency’s operational model at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja.

Marwa said the renewed collaboration between both anti-narcotics agencies should serve as a strong warning to drug trafficking networks operating within the West African sub-region.

“Let this visit serve as a warning to those who seek to destabilize our societies with illicit drugs: Nigeria and Ghana stand united. We will continue to innovate, collaborate, and dominate the tactical space until our streets and communities are safe,” he said.

According to a statement signed by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA boss noted that the visit reflects the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Ghana and reinforces their shared commitment to regional security.

He warned that transnational organised crime, especially drug trafficking and associated money laundering activities, continues to evolve across borders, requiring deeper cooperation among regional partners. “The threat posed by transnational organized crime, particularly drug trafficking and its associated money laundering activities, knows no borders,” Marwa said.

He added that intelligence-led operations, interdiction strategies, digital forensics, and operational best practices remain critical in narrowing operational space for criminal cartels across the region.

Marwa described the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NDLEA and NACOC as the major highlight of the engagement.

According to him, the agreement provides a legal and operational framework for combating illicit drug production, trafficking of psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals, as well as related money laundering activities.

“This agreement moves our relationship from informal consultation to a structured, aggressive, and unified front against drug barons,” he stated.

In his remarks, Mantey described Nigeria as a leading force within the region, noting that Ghana regards the country as an “elder brother” in regional affairs.

“Nigeria has consistently played a leading role within our region, and Ghana holds that leadership in the highest regard,” he said.

The NACOC Director General said the partnership between both agencies reflects the deep historical and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Ghana.

According to him, the visit was aimed at strengthening existing cooperation through intelligence sharing, joint operations, training, and institutional collaboration.

Mantey warned that the drug trade across West Africa is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with traffickers adopting new methods, including the use of maritime routes and synthetic drug networks.

He noted that Ghana is witnessing a growing domestic drug problem despite historically being considered mainly a transit point for narcotics trafficking. “No single country can effectively address this threat in isolation,” he said.

Mantey added that the newly signed MoU must produce measurable outcomes through coordinated operations, stronger intelligence sharing, structured training exchanges, and closer collaboration between both agencies.

Also present at the event was the acting Ghanaian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gladys Mansa Yawa Feddy Akyea, alongside senior officials of the Ghana High Commission, members of the NACOC delegation, and top management staff of the NDLEA.