The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India have agreed to intensify efforts in combating the shipment of illicit drugs between the two countries, particularly the illegal flow of opioids such as tramadol and codeine-based syrup from India to Nigeria.
This agreement was part of the outcomes of a virtual meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja between NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, and the Director General of NCB, Mr. Anurag Garg.
In a statement by the NDLEA spokesman, Marwa highlighted the threat posed to public health and national security by illicit drugs in both Nigeria and India. He stressed the need to strengthen the existing partnership between the NDLEA and NCB under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both agencies in 2023.
“The main reason I requested this engagement is the illicit importation of tramadol and codeine cough syrup into Nigeria from India. This is a point I raised when we signed the MoU,” Marwa stated.
“In the last 18 months, from January 2024 to June 2025, we have seized over one billion pills of opioids, mainly tramadol, and more than 14.4 million bottles of codeine syrup. This is why we urgently need the support and collaboration of the NCB.”
Marwa also requested assistance from the NCB in specialised training for NDLEA personnel.
“We’ve had past training from India on drug investigations, forensic analysis, financial crimes, cybercrime, and dark web monitoring,” he said. “We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to benefit from your experience and continue building the capacity of our officers.”
In response, NCB Director General Anurag Garg underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation, noting that drug trafficking is a global issue that transcends borders.
“We all know that transnational syndicates are behind the illicit drug shipments into Nigeria. Unless we come together, we cannot end this malady. These syndicates have no respect for borders or national laws,” Garg said.
“So, the only effective solution is collaboration. This meeting presents a valuable opportunity to advance that partnership.”
On the issue of capacity building, Garg expressed readiness to support NDLEA’s training needs.
“We have a training centre that can host your officers,” he said. “We would be happy to develop a customised training programme covering key areas such as clandestine labs, precursor chemicals, darknet surveillance, and the investigation of darknet vendors.”
