US-INL Commends NDLEA’s Operational Successes, Pledges More Support

 US-INL Commends NDLEA’s Operational Successes, Pledges More Support

The United States International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (INL) has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its recent operational successes, pledging to strengthen the existing partnership between both organisations.

The Country Director of INL Nigeria, Derek Tolliver, gave the commendation on Thursday, August 20, 2026, when he led a delegation from the United States Government Accountability Office on a courtesy meeting with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Tolliver said the visit was aimed at establishing a working relationship with the NDLEA and building on the achievements recorded through previous INL-supported programmes in Nigeria.

He expressed optimism about deepening collaboration between the US Embassy’s INL team and the NDLEA, while congratulating the agency on its recent achievements.

“Big congratulations on all the successes over the past months with your leadership and under your leadership. It is phenomenal how much this organisation has grown, the accolades that are now shown in the media,” Tolliver said.

Responding, Marwa congratulated Tolliver on his appointment as Country Director of INL Nigeria and expressed appreciation for the longstanding support of the United States Government to the NDLEA.

The NDLEA chairman specifically acknowledged the contributions of INL, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), US Africa Command (AFRICOM), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other US agencies to the agency’s anti-drug operations.

Marwa said the support provided by INL had contributed significantly to the operational capacity and successes of the NDLEA in recent years.

“I would like to state very clearly that whatever successes that we have had in this Agency, the INL is part of it. No question about it,” he said.

He recalled that INL had provided operational vehicles to the agency, noting that one of his earliest actions after assuming office as NDLEA chairman in 2021 was to distribute the vehicles to various commands.

Marwa also highlighted the impact of US support on the development and modernisation of NDLEA’s forensic laboratories.

According to him, the agency previously had only one forensic laboratory in Lagos serving the entire country. With INL support, the laboratory was modernised with improved facilities and equipment, while additional forensic laboratories were established in Abuja and Enugu to strengthen forensic analysis across different regions.

He said the forensic capabilities had become critical to the agency’s drug enforcement operations, particularly in the investigation and dismantling of clandestine drug laboratories.

Marwa disclosed that forensic equipment supplied with US support played a crucial role in the recent discovery of a precursor chemical linked to fentanyl production during the dismantling of a methamphetamine laboratory hidden in a forest in Ogun State.

He said the laboratory was dismantled about two months ago, adding that forensic analysis of the substances recovered at the scene revealed that one of the precursor chemicals could be used in the production of fentanyl.

“Without these modern tools, that would have gone unnoticed because it was just a small part of the precursor chemicals,” Marwa said.

He described the discovery as a major concern, stressing the dangers associated with fentanyl and the need for continued vigilance against the emergence of new illicit drug production activities in Nigeria.

The NDLEA chairman subsequently appealed for additional support from the US Government, particularly in the areas of logistics, training and other operational requirements.

Marwa said continued collaboration with US law enforcement and security agencies would further enhance the capacity of the NDLEA to detect, investigate and disrupt illicit drug trafficking and production networks across Nigeria.

The meeting underscored the growing partnership between Nigeria and the United States in combating illicit drugs, strengthening law enforcement capacity and addressing emerging threats within the narcotics trade.