From right: Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, Gen Buba Marwa during the strategic meeting in Abuja.

In line with efforts to curb the smuggling of narcotics and other regulated substances to check organised crimes, The Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA have agreed to strengthen the existing partnership between both organisations in order the secure the nation.

Meanwhile, the Service has made a strong case for post- seizure accountability, insisting that the Service must be carried along in terms of the destruction of the seized narcotics and prosecution of suspects beyond the razzmatazz of colourful handover ceremonies.

This is sequel to a high-level meeting between the Comptroller-General of the Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and Chairman/CEO of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd).

The main focus of the strategic meeting, which held Monday, April 27, 2026, at the NDLEA Headquarters in Jahi, Abuja, was on strengthening existing collaboration, improving accountability on seized narcotics cases and building a more coordinated enforcement structure between both agencies.

Speaking during the visit, the CGC, who led members of the management team of Customs, said the fight against drug trafficking now goes beyond domestic enforcement, warning that Nigeria’s credibility before international partners depends largely on how effectively local institutions work together to combat the menace.

“I came here directly from international engagements in Europe and Asia, and at every table, narcotics trafficking remained a major issue. The West African corridor is under serious watch.

“The agreements we sign abroad will only carry value when our operational credibility at home supports them. If intelligence shared with Nigeria is not pursued to interception, prosecution and destruction, our standing is weakened”, the Nigeria Customs boss said.

He noted that the Service has over time, continued to make major seizures and hand same over to NDLEA, particularly through the Apapa Command and other operational formations.

“But I need to stress here that interdiction alone is not enough, we therefore call for stronger post-seizure accountability, regular prosecution updates and transparent destruction procedures.

“Interdiction is only the first act of enforcement, not the last. Where narcotics are transferred but not promptly destroyed, where prosecution advances without feedback, and where exhibits are separated from originating officers, then the chain of enforcement is incomplete”, he argued.

As part of measures to address this lacuna, the Customs -boss proposed a new partnership framework between both agencies, which will include joint destruction of seized drugs where suspects are not arrested, periodic case status reports, coordinated court appearances and standing liaison channels at command level.

“We have not come here to apportion blame. We have come to design the next phase of a partnership that has taken Nigeria this far and we must now take it further”, the CG said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the NDLEA, while responding to the proposals, noted that the concerns raised by Customs-boss were legitimate and timely, assuring that the agency remains committed to transparency, accountability and professional cooperation.

Gen. Marwa said, “The concerns relating to post-transfer accountability, prosecution outcomes and disposal processes are valid concerns. We must move beyond ceremonial handovers to a structured and mandatory reporting framework under which NDLEA provides formal updates on investigations, prosecutions and final disposal of Customs-originated seizures”.

He proposed the immediate establishment of a joint committee to review grey areas in the existing Memorandum of Understanding MoU, signed by both agencies under previous administrations.

“Today’s meeting is timely. It gives us the opportunity to discuss areas of concern frankly and strengthen our collaboration. The committee would recommend clearer procedures and, where necessary, draft a supplementary agreement for approval by the leadership of both agencies”, the NDLEA boss also said.