NDLEA and NAPTIP Team Up to Fight Drug and Human Trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have officially launched joint liaison teams to improve cooperation in tackling the growing links between drug and human trafficking in Nigeria.

The decision was made during a strategic meeting held at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja. NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta Bello, led her management team on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd). During the meeting, both agencies agreed on the urgent need to strengthen collaboration to fight these interconnected crimes.

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement that General Marwa highlighted how drug and human trafficking are closely tied. He noted that traffickers often use victims as drug couriers or force them into drug abuse as a form of control and compliance.

Marwa said, “There’s a linkage between human trafficking and drug trafficking and abuse. Some trafficked persons are used as mules… They may be drugged to be compliant.” He stressed the need for a formal agreement through a memorandum of understanding to clearly outline each agency’s responsibilities.

To move forward, the NDLEA boss appointed a three-member liaison team to work directly with NAPTIP on joint action plans. These plans will cover intelligence sharing, joint operations, and training.

Binta Bello also emphasized that both crimes are becoming more connected due to common challenges such as porous borders, corruption, and weak law enforcement systems. “Women and children are increasingly used as couriers, while some victims are drugged as a method of control,” she said.

She called for joint investigations, cross-agency training, legal reforms, and more public awareness campaigns. According to her, the liaison team will also create a strategic action plan to drive short- and medium-term cooperation between the two agencies.

Bello reaffirmed NAPTIP’s commitment to working closely with NDLEA to protect vulnerable Nigerians. “Together, we will not only dismantle these criminal networks but also protect and empower the vulnerable Nigerians they exploit,” she concluded.

What does this partnership mean for Nigerians?
This new collaboration between NDLEA and NAPTIP will help improve how both agencies investigate, prevent, and prosecute trafficking-related crimes. With better coordination and intelligence sharing, authorities hope to reduce the number of victims and bring more traffickers to justice.

Tips and Recommendations:

• The public should report suspicious trafficking activities to authorities.
• Parents and communities must stay informed about how traffickers exploit victims.
• Young people should be cautious of false travel and job offers.
• More awareness campaigns are needed to educate vulnerable groups.

This strategic move is a major step forward in Nigeria’s fight against organized trafficking networks that target the most vulnerable citizens.