The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen intelligence sharing, joint operations and coordinated efforts against transnational drug trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-Australia route.
The agreement, signed on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the NDLEA national headquarters in Abuja, formalises existing cooperation between the two agencies into a structured strategic partnership.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), described the agreement as a declaration of war against international drug cartels exploiting cross-border routes to evade law enforcement agencies.
Marwa expressed confidence that the partnership would make the Nigeria-Australia drug route extremely hostile and unprofitable for traffickers, leveraging the AFP’s international reach and the NDLEA’s operational capacity.
Under the agreement, the two agencies will collaborate in four key areas: intelligence and information sharing, joint and coordinated operations, capacity building and professional development, and controlled delivery of illicit drugs to facilitate investigations and arrests.
The NDLEA chairman said the partnership had become necessary as drug trafficking networks continued to grow in sophistication and organisation, with Nigerian criminal groups increasingly linked to the Australia-Pacific drug route, particularly in the trafficking of methamphetamine and cocaine.
He noted that Nigeria was being exploited as both a transit and sourcing hub, stressing that no country could effectively tackle the menace without international cooperation.
Marwa said the agency expected the agreement to produce significant operational results, including major drug seizures, arrests of high-value targets and successful controlled delivery operations.
He cited recent NDLEA achievements, including the seizure of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine destined for export and the dismantling of four methamphetamine laboratories in recent months, with Mexican nationals allegedly linked to the operations.
According to him, one of the laboratories yielded seizures valued at more than $360 million.
He also disclosed that the agency had, after more than a year of collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and police authorities in France, Greece and Switzerland, dismantled a Switzerland-based drug cartel allegedly operated by a Nigerian, Simon Amadi.
Marwa added that the cartel’s assets in Nigeria were also being targeted as part of efforts to dismantle its financial network.
Speaking at the ceremony, head of the Australian Federal Police delegation, Ms Sandra Booth, described drug trafficking as a whole-of-society problem requiring a collective and coordinated response.
She commended the NDLEA for addressing different aspects of the drug problem, ranging from prevention to enforcement, while also praising its international partnerships.
Booth described the new agreement as a force multiplier in the global fight against drug trafficking, noting that organised criminal groups were increasingly using proceeds from the illicit drug trade to finance other serious crimes.
She explained that criminal networks were recruiting young and vulnerable people to participate in drug deliveries, transportation and violent attacks against rival groups.
Beyond addiction and the destruction of families, she said drug trafficking was contributing to gang violence, organised crime and deaths in Australian communities.
“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.
Booth said Australia was committed to working with Nigeria to prevent illicit drugs from reaching its territory and protect young people and other vulnerable members of society.
She stressed the need for both countries to demonstrate commitment, integrity and determination in confronting international drug syndicates.
“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,” she said.
The ceremony was attended by the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Leilani Bin-Juda; Deputy High Commissioner, Timothy Milikan; other members of the AFP delegation, including Andrea Humphrys and Susan Gray, as well as senior NDLEA officials.
