The United States International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (US-INL) has praised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its recent operational successes and pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Nigeria in the fight against illicit drugs.
The commitment was made on Thursday, August 20, 2026, by the incoming INL Country Director in Nigeria, Derek Tolliver, during a strategic meeting with the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Tolliver, who led a visiting delegation from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), said the purpose of his visit was to build on the achievements of previous INL programmes and advance shared operational goals with the NDLEA.
He congratulated the agency on its growth and recent successes under Marwa’s leadership, describing the progress as phenomenal and worthy of recognition.
Responding, Marwa expressed appreciation for the enduring support of the United States government, particularly the INL, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Marwa said the support had significantly strengthened the NDLEA’s operational capacity through the provision of vehicles, modern forensic equipment and additional forensic laboratories in Abuja and Enugu.
He revealed that US-supported forensic equipment was instrumental in the recent discovery of a fentanyl-related precursor chemical during the dismantling of a methamphetamine laboratory hidden deep in a forest in Ogun State.
According to Marwa, forensic analysis of chemicals recovered from the laboratory showed that one of the precursor chemicals could be used in the production of fentanyl, raising fresh concerns over the emergence of the highly dangerous synthetic opioid in Nigeria’s illicit drug market.
He stressed that the discovery could have gone unnoticed because the fentanyl-related precursor constituted only a small portion of the chemicals recovered from the laboratory.
Marwa said the modern forensic tools provided through US support were therefore critical to identifying the substance and strengthening the agency’s investigation.
The NDLEA Chairman subsequently called for expanded US assistance, particularly in tactical logistics and specialised personnel training, to enable the agency to remain ahead of transnational drug cartels and emerging threats.
The renewed US commitment comes as the NDLEA continues to expand its international partnerships and strengthen its operational and forensic capabilities in the fight against drug trafficking and illicit drug production.
