By Ebi Kesiena
Nigeria and Ghana have strengthened their joint fight against drug trafficking, signing a strategic agreement aimed at dismantling cartels and curbing the spread of illicit substances across West Africa.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Buba Marwa, issued a stern warning to traffickers on Tuesday in Abuja while hosting a delegation from Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission, led by its Director-General, Maxwell Mantey, who were on a study tour of the NDLEA’s operational framework.
“Let this visit serve as a warning to those who seek to destabilise 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,” Marwa said.
He described the engagement as a reflection of the longstanding bilateral ties between both countries, stressing that such cooperation is critical to enhancing regional security.
Marwa noted that the increasing complexity of transnational organised crime, particularly drug trafficking and associated financial crimes, underscores the need for stronger collaboration among West African nations. He added that the visit would promote knowledge exchange in intelligence-led operations, interdiction strategies, digital forensics, and institutional best practices.
“This visit is more than a study tour; it is a strategic alignment. We look forward to sharing the NDLEA’s recent advancements in digital forensics and organisational best practices.
“Part of the expected gains is operational synergy, as we will be discussing emerging trafficking trends in the West African corridor and exploring new frontiers for technical cooperation and joint training,” he said.
A key highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the NDLEA and NACOC, which Marwa described as a major milestone in the fight against drug-related crimes.
According to him, the agreement provides both legal and operational frameworks to tackle the illicit production of psychotropic substances, their precursors, and related financial crimes, while enhancing coordination against drug networks.
In his remarks, Mantey commended Nigeria’s leadership role in the region, describing the country as an “elder brother” to Ghana and emphasising the shared commitment to stability and development.
He explained that the visit was designed to deepen cooperation, build trust, and identify practical areas for enhanced collaboration, particularly in operations, training, and intelligence sharing.
Mantey warned that drug trafficking across West Africa is becoming more sophisticated, with cartels expanding maritime routes and increasing the production and distribution of synthetic drugs.
He added that Ghana is gradually shifting from being primarily a transit hub to experiencing rising domestic consumption and distribution, heightening the urgency of the challenge.
“No single country can effectively address this threat in isolation,” he said.
He stressed that the newly signed agreement must yield tangible outcomes, including improved intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement actions, and structured capacity-building programmes.
Mantey also expressed appreciation to the NDLEA for its hospitality and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening the partnership in the fight against illicit drugs.
