By Erewunmi Peace

A delegation from the
United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking.

The delegation visited the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, where they met with the agency’s leadership to discuss ways to strengthen collaboration and enhance the effectiveness of anti-drug operations.

Leading the team was Philip Esch, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) liaison to AFRICOM, who praised the NDLEA for its proactive measures and commitment to tackling illicit drug activities.

During the meeting, the delegation highlighted ongoing and planned support initiatives, including training, technical assistance, and strategic cooperation, aimed at improving Nigeria’s capacity to combat drug trafficking and related security challenges.

NDLEA leadership, under Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), expressed appreciation for the partnership and stressed the importance of international cooperation in addressing the growing threat of drug-related crimes.

The visit underscores the strengthening of Nigeria-U.S. collaboration in law enforcement and reaffirms both countries’ commitment to promoting security and stability in the region.