US AFRICOM Delegation Pledges Deeper Cooperation With NDLEA
A high-level delegation from the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM) has pledged enhanced
cooperation and support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria,
commending the agency’s leadership under Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) and
highlighting Nigeria’s expanding role in global efforts to counter illicit drug trafficking.
The assurances were delivered on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, during a meeting between the AFRICOM
delegation and NDLEA officials at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
The visit was led by Philip Esch, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Liaison to
AFRICOM, who emphasised the strategic importance of the partnership between the two nations’ law
enforcement and military institutions.
Esch praised Marwa’s leadership and openness to international collaboration, noting that the
relationship between the NDLEA and U.S. law enforcement agencies, particularly the DEA, is strategic
and highly valued by the U.S. government.
He also commended the progress achieved through joint efforts to strengthen drug interdiction,
intelligence sharing and capacity building.
Another member of the delegation, James Elseth, highlighted the regional and international impact of
the NDLEA’s work, stating that Nigeria’s role in combating drug trafficking contributes significantly to
regional security and global anti-narcotics efforts.
He noted that ongoing training programmes and support projects are already underway to enhance the
agency’s operational effectiveness.
In response, Brig. Gen. Marwa expressed appreciation for the continued support from AFRICOM and its
partners, describing such international cooperation asessential to the NDLEA’s successes.
He underscored the inherent link between drug trafficking and other security threats, including
terrorism, and reiterated the agency’s call for sustained collaboration, particularly in acquiring advanced
detection and forensic equipment.
Marwa specifically outlined key areas where support remains critical, including airport scanning systems,
digital forensic tools, portable drug detection devices, forensic laboratory facilities and trained sniffer
dogs, capabilities he said are vital to disrupting complex drug-related networks that often finance
broader criminal and extremist activities.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to deepen cooperation between the NDLEA and US
AFRICOM, reinforcing the strategic partnership between Nigeria and the United States in combating
drug trafficking and related security challenges.
This engagement reflects ongoing engagement between the two countries in addressing transnational
crimes and supports broader efforts to enhance law enforcement capacity and information sharing.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
