The United States and the United Nations have launched a joint training program for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies to combat drug trafficking in West Africa.


The training is designed to strengthen interdiction capacity, intelligence sharing, and investigative techniques across the region. It targets the rising flow of illicit drugs through West African corridors, which are increasingly used as transit points to Europe and North America.


Officials from the US government and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said the program will equip Nigerian and regional officers with modern tools to detect, track, and dismantle drug networks. Key focus areas include port security, airport surveillance, financial investigation, and cross-border cooperation.


NDLEA Chairman commended the partnership, noting that the agency has recorded significant seizures in recent months but needs continuous capacity building to match evolving trafficking methods.


The training involves participants from the NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and other law enforcement bodies. It forms part of broader US and UN efforts to support regional security and curb transnational organized crime in West Africa.