NDLEA, Australian police sign pact against cross-border drug trafficking
Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has signed an agreement with the Australian Federal Police to strengthen cooperation against cross-border drug trafficking.
The agencies signed the memorandum of understanding at NDLEA’s headquarters in Abuja on November 2, 2026. This is according to a statement from NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi.
NDLEA said the agreement formalises their existing cooperation.
What the agreement covers
The statement lists four areas of cooperation:
- Sharing information and intelligence.
- Conducting joint and coordinated operations.
- Training and professional development.
- Controlled delivery.
NDLEA chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa said countries needed to work together to tackle trafficking networks operating across borders.
He called for immediate implementation and expressed hope that the partnership would lead to major seizures and arrests. The statement did not report results from any operation carried out under the new agreement.
Australian delegation calls for wider cooperation
NDLEA identified Sandra Booth as the head of the Australian Federal Police delegation.
According to the statement, Booth said the response to drug trafficking must include both prevention and enforcement, supported by international cooperation.
She also warned that drug proceeds could fund other crimes and that criminal groups were drawing vulnerable young people into illegal activity.
Details not disclosed
NDLEA described the agreement as renewable. Its announcement did not specify the renewal period, funding arrangements or a timetable for measuring results.
IDNN has not reviewed the full agreement or located a separate announcement from the Australian Federal Police. This report is based on NDLEA’s published account.
