In a major move to curb the use of commercial vehicles for drug trafficking, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has pledged full collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), including support for driver drug testing, intelligence sharing, and the deployment of NDLEA officers to motor parks and depots nationwide.
This strategic partnership was announced during a courtesy visit by NARTO’s National President, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, to NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Othman expressed strong support for NDLEA’s fight against drug abuse and trafficking, describing the visit as “purposeful and timely,” and underscoring the transport sector’s role in both the problem and the solution.
“Our truck and passenger vehicles traverse every region of the country,” Othman said. “However, we recognize that these same routes are sometimes exploited by criminal elements. We at NARTO are committed to reversing that narrative.”
To formalise the partnership, NARTO proposed several key measures:
- Sensitization and training for drivers to identify and report suspicious cargo or behavior;
- Joint intelligence-sharing mechanisms to monitor known drug routes and tactics;
- Deployment of NDLEA liaison officers at major transport hubs;
- Nationwide public awareness campaigns targeting drivers and passengers.
Othman reaffirmed NARTO’s determination to ensure Nigerian highways are not used to “harm the nation,” emphasizing that the association wants a transport industry that supports security and public health.
In response, NDLEA Chairman Marwa welcomed the initiative and affirmed the agency’s readiness to work closely with the transport body. “We are more than ready to collaborate at your parks and depots,” Marwa said, adding that the relationship dates back to his tenure in Lagos.
He urged transport owners to conduct background checks on their drivers and monitor vehicle use to avoid inadvertently aiding drug trafficking. “It is in your interest to ensure your vehicles are not used for trafficking. Otherwise, you risk losing them to crashes or government seizure,” he warned.
The collaboration is seen as a significant step forward in the NDLEA’s broader offensive against drug abuse and trafficking, reinforcing the agency’s community-based approach to enforcement.
