The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Australian Federal Police have signed a Memorandum of Understanding formalising existing cooperation between them into a structured strategic alliance against transnational drug trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria–Australia drug route.

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement on Monday that both agencies, under the agreement, would cooperate in four critical areas, including the exchange of information and intelligence; joint and coordinated operations; capacity building and professional development; as well as controlled delivery.

NDLEA chairman, Buba Marwa, during the signing ceremony at the national headquarters in Abuja earlier in the day, described the MoU as “a declaration of war against transnational drug cartels that think they can hide between continents.”

Mr Marwa said that with the AFP’s global reach and NDLEA’s operational doggedness, he was confident that the two agencies would make the Australia–Nigeria drug route “extremely hostile and unprofitable for traffickers.”

Mr Marwa noted that the MoU came at a time when drug trafficking was highly transnational, organised and sophisticated, with Nigerian organised crime groups increasingly linked to the Australia–Pacific drug route, especially for methamphetamine and cocaine.

Stating that “Nigeria is being exploited as a transit and sourcing hub, but no single country can fight this alone,” Mr Marwa expressed hope “that this MoU being signed today will lead to major joint seizures, arrests of high-value targets, and successful controlled deliveries.”

“Now, this MoU is renewable and is a declaration of war against transnational drug cartels that think they can hide between continents. With the AFP’s global reach and NDLEA’s operational doggedness, I am confident that we will make the Australia-Nigeria drug route extremely hostile and unprofitable for traffickers. And we look forward to immediate implementation.”

The head of the AFP delegation, Sandra Booth, in her remarks, described the relationships NDLEA had built with other countries, including its AFP partners, as commendable, saying the partnership would serve as “a force multiplier” in the fight against “this abhorrent trade.”

She said, “Whilst Nigeria is a transit country, we are a destination country. And unfortunately for us, people will pay a lot of money for the commodity,” adding that Australia wanted to be part of the solution by working to prevent the trafficking of drugs to the country and protecting its youth and vulnerable people.

“It is so absolutely necessary that we work together as a team, that we are forceful, that we are committed, that we show integrity, and we hunt as a pack. And I am very proud that we can now be part of your pack.”

The ceremony was also witnessed by the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda; Deputy High Commissioner, Timothy Milikan; and other members of the AFP delegation, Andrea Humphrys and Susan Gray, as well as top officials of the NDLEA management.