Dare Babalola
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) have strengthened bilateral cooperation against drug trafficking syndicates operating across West Africa, with both countries warning criminal cartels of intensified joint action.
The development was made public in a statement signed on Tuesday by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy.
According to the statement, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), issued the warning on Tuesday in Abuja when he received a NACOC delegation led by its Director-General, Brig. Gen. Maxwell Obuba Mantey, on a benchmarking visit and study tour of Nigeria’s anti-drug operational model.
Marwa said the renewed partnership underscores a united front against illicit drug networks threatening regional stability.
“Let this visit serve as a warning to those who seek to destabilize 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,” he said.
He described the engagement as a reflection of deepening institutional cooperation between both countries, stressing that drug trafficking and related financial crimes require coordinated regional response.
“The threat posed by transnational organized crime, particularly drug trafficking and its associated money laundering activities, knows no borders. As we have seen, the evolution of these threats requires a response that is not only robust but also deeply collaborative.
“We recognise that by coming together to share expertise in intelligence-led operations and interdiction strategies, we are effectively narrowing the space for criminal cartels to operate within our sub-region,” Marwa stated.
He added that the visit went beyond routine engagement, describing it as a strategic alignment aimed at enhancing operational capacity, intelligence sharing, and joint training between both agencies.
“This visit is more than a study tour; it is a strategic alignment. During your time with us, we look forward to knowledge exchange during which we share the NDLEA’s recent advancements in digital forensics and organizational best practices. Part of the expected gains is operational synergy as we will be discussing emerging trafficking trends that affect the West African corridor, while we equally explore new frontiers for technical cooperation and joint training exercises,” he said.
A key highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NDLEA and NACOC, which Marwa described as a major milestone in formalising their collaboration.
“This agreement on combating the illicit production of psychotropic substances, their precursors, and related money laundering activities provides us with a legal and operational roadmap. It moves our relationship from informal consultation to a structured, aggressive, and unified front against drug barons,” he noted.
On his part, NACOC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Maxwell Obuba Mantey, said Ghana holds Nigeria’s leadership in high regard in regional security cooperation.
“Nigeria has consistently played a leading role within our region, and Ghana holds that leadership in the highest regard. In many respects, we look to Nigeria as an elder brother. Beyond that, the relationship between our two countries is deeply valued. It is grounded in shared history, mutual respect, and a common commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development across West Africa,” he said.
He explained that the visit was aimed at strengthening existing ties rather than starting new ones, noting that both agencies must adapt to evolving drug trafficking patterns.
“In Ghana, we are also observing a gradual shift. While we have historically been considered largely a transit point, there is now a growing domestic dimension, both in terms of drug use and internal distribution. This makes the challenge more complex, but also more urgent. And it reinforces a simple but critical reality: no single country can effectively address this threat in isolation,” Mantey said.
He stressed that the MoU must translate into practical results beyond ceremonial signing.
“For us, this MOU must go beyond a symbolic gesture. It should translate into real, measurable outcomes, stronger intelligence sharing, more coordinated joint operations, structured training exchanges, and closer day-to-day collaboration between our respective teams. The true value of this partnership will be defined not by what we sign, but by what we implement,” he added.
The ceremony was attended by the acting Ghanaian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Gladys Mansa Yawa Feddy Akyea, senior officials of the High Commission, NACOC delegation members, and top NDLEA management staff.
