A high-level delegation from the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) met with the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s anti-narcotics capabilities.
The delegation, led by Philip Esch, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Liaison to AFRICOM, described the partnership between the NDLEA and the U.S. government as a matter of “utmost importance” to international security.
“We appreciate all the support and the leadership you provide,” Esch stated during the meeting at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja. “We are very happy that your tenure was renewed for another five years. We really look forward to continued engagement.”
Another senior member of the delegation, James Elseth, commended the Agency for its “international mindset” and the high standard of maintenance provided for equipment and facilities previously donated by the U.S. government. Elseth revealed that two major support projects are currently being developed to further bolster the NDLEA’s operations, in addition to ongoing specialized training.
In his response, General Marwa attributed the Agency’s recent successes to international partnerships and the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He specifically highlighted the critical link between illicit drug trafficking and the funding of terrorism, urging for expanded technical support to dismantle these networks.
The NDLEA Chairman listed several priority areas for future assistance, including:
- Advanced airport scanning technology.
- Digital forensic and laboratory equipment.
- Portable drug detection devices.
- The deployment of additional trained sniffer dogs.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing a mutual commitment to deepening intelligence sharing and operational cooperation to enhance regional stability.
