Nigeria and Ghana have strengthened their bilateral cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking, sending a strong warning to criminal cartels operating across West Africa.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja while hosting a delegation from Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), led by its Director-General, Brig. Gen. Maxwell Obuba Mantey.
Marwa described the visit as a clear signal of unity between both countries, stressing that their collaboration would significantly shrink the operational space for transnational drug cartels. He said the partnership reflects a shared determination to safeguard communities and strengthen regional security.
“This visit should serve as a warning to those seeking 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 communities are safe,” he stated.
According to him, the growing complexity of drug trafficking and related crimes such as money laundering demands deeper cooperation, intelligence sharing, and coordinated enforcement strategies. He noted that the engagement would facilitate knowledge exchange on intelligence-led operations, digital forensics, and evolving trafficking trends within the West African corridor.
A major highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NDLEA and NACOC, which Marwa described as a significant milestone. He said the agreement provides a structured framework to combat illicit drug production, trafficking, and associated financial crimes, moving the partnership from informal collaboration to a more coordinated and aggressive joint effort.
In his remarks, Mantey praised Nigeria’s leadership role in the region, describing the country as a trusted partner with whom Ghana shares deep historical and strategic ties. He said the visit was aimed at strengthening an already solid relationship through practical cooperation in operations, training, and intelligence sharing.
Mantey noted that drug trafficking in the region is becoming more sophisticated, with increased use of maritime routes and a rise in synthetic drugs. He also highlighted a shifting trend in Ghana, where the country is experiencing a growing domestic dimension of drug use and distribution, beyond its traditional role as a transit hub.
He emphasized that no single country can tackle the drug menace alone, underscoring the importance of sustained collaboration among regional partners. “The true value of this partnership will be defined not by what we sign, but by what we implement,” he said.
The event was attended by Ghana’s Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Gladys Mansa Yawa Feddy Akyea, alongside senior officials from both countries, marking a renewed commitment to joint action against illicit drug networks in West Africa.
