The United States International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (INL) has commended the recent operational successes of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), assuring the agency of continued support to strengthen their partnership.

The Country Director of INL Nigeria, Derek Tolliver, gave the commendation yesterday when he led a delegation from the US Government Accountability Office on a visit to the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd.), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Tolliver said the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the two organisations and advancing the objectives of INL programmes in Nigeria.

“I am certainly looking forward to following up with the NDLEA, me and my team in our office at the US Embassy in Abuja, to move our programme goals forward,” he said.

He also congratulated the NDLEA on its recent achievements, noting the agency’s growth and the recognition it has received in the media.

“I want to say big congratulations on all the successes over the past months with your leadership and under your leadership. It is phenomenal how much this organisation has grown, the accolades that are now shown in the media,” Tolliver said.

Responding, Marwa congratulated Tolliver on his appointment and expressed appreciation for the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the United States.

He specifically acknowledged the support provided by the INL and other US agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Marwa said the US support had contributed significantly to the NDLEA’s operational capabilities, particularly through the provision of vehicles, forensic equipment and infrastructure.

“I would like to state very clearly that whatever successes that we have had in this agency, the INL is part of it. No question about it,” Marwa said.

He recalled that shortly after assuming office as NDLEA chairman in 2021, he distributed INL-provided operational vehicles to commands across the country to improve their mobility and effectiveness.

Marwa also highlighted the role of US-supported forensic laboratories in the agency’s drug enforcement operations.

He said the INL had helped modernise the agency’s forensic laboratory in Lagos and supported the establishment of additional laboratories in Abuja and Enugu to serve other parts of the country.

According to him, the facilities have become central to the NDLEA’s investigations and drug detection efforts.

Marwa disclosed that forensic equipment provided through the partnership played a key role in the recent discovery of a precursor chemical linked to fentanyl production during the dismantling of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in a forest in Ogun State.

He said forensic analysis of the chemicals recovered from the laboratory revealed that one of the precursor substances could be used in the production of fentanyl.

“We relied on the forensic equipment to determine the precursor chemicals. We discovered one of the precursor chemicals was, in fact, for the production of fentanyl, which is bad news,” he said.

Marwa noted that the substance constituted a serious concern because of the dangers associated with fentanyl, adding that its identification might have been missed without the modern forensic tools provided through the US partnership.

“Without these modern tools, that would have gone unnoticed because it was just a small part of the precursor chemicals. That was really very important,” he said.

The NDLEA chairman called for additional support in logistics, training and other operational areas to enable the agency to sustain its fight against illicit drugs and emerging threats.

The meeting ended with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation and building on the achievements recorded under the existing Nigeria-US partnership.