Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has said that smuggling illegal drugs through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport has become extremely difficult due to tighter security measures and stronger anti-narcotics operations at the airport.
Marwa said the Lagos airport is now one of the most closely monitored airports in the world in the fight against drug trafficking.
He spoke on Tuesday at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja while receiving a delegation from Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission during a study visit to Nigeria. The delegation was led by the Director-General of the commission, Maxwell Obuba Mantey.
According to Marwa, Nigeria and Ghana must continue to work closely together to tackle the growing problem of drug trafficking and related crimes across West Africa. He said criminal groups involved in the illegal drug trade are becoming more organised and sophisticated, making regional cooperation very important.
“We recognize that by coming together to share expertise in intelligence-led operations and interdiction strategies, we are effectively narrowing the space for criminal cartels to operate within our sub-region,” Marwa said.
He explained that the visit by the Ghanaian delegation was not just an ordinary study tour but part of wider efforts to strengthen cooperation between both countries in the fight against narcotics trafficking.
Marwa said the partnership would allow both agencies to share knowledge and experience in areas such as intelligence gathering, digital tracking, surveillance operations and modern investigative methods.
According to him, stronger collaboration between the two countries would help security agencies break illegal drug networks, stop the production of dangerous psychotropic substances and track money laundering connected to the drug trade.
As part of the visit, the NDLEA and Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at formalising cooperation between the two anti-drug agencies.
Marwa described the agreement as an important step toward building a stronger and more coordinated regional response against drug syndicates operating across West Africa.
“This agreement on combating the illicit production of psychotropic substances, their precursors, and related money laundering activities provides us with a legal and operational roadmap. It moves our relationship from informal consultation to a structured, aggressive, and unified front against drug barons,” he said.
In his remarks, Mantey said the visit was meant to strengthen the already existing relationship between Nigeria and Ghana and improve practical cooperation between both anti-drug agencies.
“For us therefore, this visit is not about beginning a new chapter, but about strengthening an already solid foundation, deepening trust, exchanging experiences, and making our collaboration even more practical and impactful,” he said.
He also warned that drug trafficking groups in West Africa are changing their methods and becoming more advanced, making stronger cross-border cooperation necessary.
Drug trafficking has remained a major challenge across West Africa for many years, with countries in the region often used as transit routes for narcotics moving from South America and Asia to Europe and other parts of the world.
Nigeria, because of its large population, busy airports and major seaports, has long been considered one of the key targets for international drug trafficking networks. In response, the NDLEA has in recent years stepped up operations at airports, border posts and seaports across the country.
Since Marwa became NDLEA chairman in 2021, the agency has carried out several high-profile arrests and drug seizures. The agency has also increased surveillance at major airports, especially the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, which handles thousands of local and international passengers daily.
The airport has historically been one of the major points used by drug traffickers attempting to move cocaine, heroin and other banned substances out of Nigeria. Over the years, traffickers have adopted different methods to avoid arrest, including hiding drugs inside luggage, food items, clothing, electronics and even inside the human body.
However, NDLEA officials say improved intelligence gathering, modern scanning equipment and cooperation with international security agencies have made such operations much harder.
The agency has also expanded public awareness campaigns to discourage drug abuse and trafficking, especially among young people. Officials say the growing use of synthetic drugs and psychotropic substances among youths remains a serious concern for both Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
For the NDLEA, the partnership with Ghana is expected to further strengthen efforts already being made to cut off supply routes and reduce the influence of international drug cartels within West Africa.
The agency maintains that the fight against illegal drugs cannot be won by one country alone and requires collective action from governments, security agencies and international partners.
With tighter airport surveillance, stronger intelligence operations and growing regional partnerships, authorities say the space for drug traffickers in West Africa is gradually becoming smaller.