In a bid to address the growing threats posed by human trafficking, drug trafficking, and substance abuse, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have launched joint teams. This strategic collaboration follows discussions between NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), and NAPTIP Director General, Binta Lami Adamu-Bello, who visited the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Friday, April 25.
The partnership between the two agencies comes in recognition of the strong links between human trafficking, drug trafficking, and substance abuse. According to a statement issued by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, the move aims to create a unified front against these interconnected crimes.
During the meeting, Gen. Marwa congratulated Adamu-Bello on her appointment as NAPTIP’s Director General and praised her for her swift and effective action in tackling the agency’s critical mandate. He also emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration between NDLEA and NAPTIP, pointing out how human trafficking and drug trafficking often intersect. In many cases, trafficked individuals are used as drug mules, sometimes unknowingly, with drugs sewn into their belongings or even drugged to make them compliant.
In response, Binta Lami Adamu-Bello highlighted the urgency of the partnership, noting that drug trafficking and human trafficking are deeply connected, both on a global and local level. She explained that women and children are often exploited as drug couriers and may be subjected to substance abuse as a means of control while being trafficked. Both crimes are fueled by porous borders, corruption, poverty, and weak institutions, making coordinated efforts crucial to tackling these issues.
The two agencies have agreed to:
- Joint investigations and intelligence sharing
- Capacity building and cross-training
- A victim-centered approach to handling trafficking victims
- Integration of technology and data systems to improve collaboration
- Public enlightenment and preventive advocacy to raise awareness about the dangers of human and drug trafficking
- Legal reforms to enhance the effectiveness of both agencies
In further efforts to formalize the collaboration, the two agencies are set to establish a liaison team to develop a strategic action plan for their joint operations. They will also schedule bilateral meetings once or twice a year to review progress, as well as explore opportunities for international collaboration with various organizations involved in the fight against human trafficking and drug abuse.
Adamu-Bello affirmed NAPTIP’s commitment to the partnership, emphasizing that the collaboration would disrupt criminal networks, and ultimately protect and empower vulnerable Nigerians, who are often the primary victims of these interlinked crimes.
This initiative marks a significant step toward more coordinated and effective action in the fight against human trafficking, drug trafficking, and substance abuse in Nigeria.
