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International cooperation

Partnership Against Drug Abuse: APM Terminals Joins Forces with NDLEA

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In a significant push against drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria's port corridors, APM Terminals Apapa has formed a partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat the threat. The collaboration was announced in line with the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which highlights the need for international cooperation in the fight against drug abuse. This partnership reflects the urgent call to address the root causes of drug use through education, healthcare, justice, and social development, as well as to dismantle the grip of organized crime on global drug trafficking.

Key Takeaways:

  • APM Terminals Apapa has joined forces with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria's port corridors.
  • The partnership aims to address the root causes of drug use through education, healthcare, justice, and social development, as well as to dismantle the grip of organized crime on global drug trafficking.
  • Assistant Comptroller General of Narcotics, Buba Wakawa, revealed that the Apapa Command had successfully intercepted 14 containers laden with psychotropic substances in the past year, including 744,635 bottles of codeine-based syrup and 36,652,460 tablets of tramadol.
  • The Commander of the NDLEA's Tin Can Strategic Command emphasized the importance of intelligence sharing, citing collaborations with British border agencies and other international partners to trace shipments from drug-exporting countries.
  • APM Terminals has enforced a strict zero-drug-and-alcohol policy and is eager to deepen collaboration with the NDLEA to enhance port safety protocols.
  • The partnership reflects the urgent need to invest in prevention and break the cycle of drug abuse, as highlighted by this year's theme for the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
  • The NDLEA recognized the Apapa Command's efforts, crediting them with successfully intercepting illicit substances, including 36 million tablets of tramadol that could have entered the streets if they had not been seized.

Statistics:

  • 14 containers laden with psychotropic substances were successfully intercepted by the NDLEA's Apapa Command in the past year.
  • 744,635 bottles of codeine-based syrup and 36,652,460 tablets of tramadol were seized, weighing a combined 132 tonnes.
  • Over 30 tonnes of illicit drugs, including amphetamines, tramadol, codeine, and cocaine, were seized by the NDLEA's Tin Can Strategic Command in the past year.
  • Maritime collaboration is crucial, as evidenced by the NDLEA's work with shipping lines and port operators to track suspicious cargo.

Sources:

  • International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
  • National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
  • APM Terminals Apapa
  • Assistant Comptroller General of Narcotics, Buba Wakawa
  • Commander of the NDLEA's Tin Can Strategic Command
  • Health and Safety Executive Emmanuel Uko
  • War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative by NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.)

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