By Bavoriat Clara
The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has thrown its weight behind the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the ongoing fight against the use of trucks and passenger vehicles for trafficking illicit drugs across Nigeria.
This renewed partnership was reaffirmed during a courtesy visit by NARTO’s National President, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, 24th July 2025.
According to a statement by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Othman commended Marwa’s courageous and visionary leadership, describing the visit as a clear expression of the association’s willingness to collaborate meaningfully in the national interest.
“This visit is not just ceremonial; it’s a demonstration of our commitment to join forces with NDLEA in protecting Nigeria’s highways from being turned into drug corridors,” Othman stated.
He noted that while NARTO plays a crucial role in connecting regions and driving commerce, the same network is sometimes exploited by criminal elements to move illicit substances.
Othman made it clear that the association is determined to dismantle that reality.He proposed several collaborative measures, including the sensitization and training of drivers and operators to spot and report suspicious behavior, creation of a joint intelligence-sharing platform to monitor trafficking routes, stationing of NDLEA liaison officers at major NARTO parks and depots, and the launch of awareness campaigns using NARTO’s nationwide footprint.
Othman emphasized that the road transport sector must become part of the solution. “We owe it to our country to ensure our roads promote safety, health, and national development not crime,” he said.
In his response, Marwa welcomed the gesture and described the transport union as a critical ally in the national drug war.
“I’ve enjoyed a good relationship with NARTO since my days in Lagos. This move by your leadership is commendable, and we’re more than ready to work with you across the country,” Marwa said.
He urged transport owners to vet drivers thoroughly before entrusting them with vehicles, warning that failure to do so could lead to dire consequences including accidents or the permanent seizure of vehicles used in drug trafficking.
“This partnership is not only timely but essential,” he added. “Together, we can close the gaps and shut the door on drug traffickers using our roads.”
With both agencies now aligned, a stronger and smarter front is being built to secure Nigeria’s transport network from the grip of drug crime.
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