Marwa urges intelligence sharing to combat insurgency, banditry
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has called for a unified strategic approach that brings together security agencies and civil society in tackling Nigeria’s growing insecurity.
Marwa made the call at the opening ceremony of the Army War College interagency seminar in Abuja, which focused on bridging intelligence gaps among security agencies to strengthen national security.
He emphasised that improved intelligence sharing among agencies is critical to addressing the country’s security challenges. According to him, threats such as insurgency, banditry, drug trafficking, and violent cultism are interconnected and cannot be effectively handled by any single institution.
Marwa advocated a “whole-of-society” approach, urging collaboration among security services, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, educators, the media, and citizens to build a unified intelligence framework.
He highlighted existing partnerships between the NDLEA and international bodies such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Interpol, as well as cooperation with neighbouring countries, as effective models for strengthening interagency coordination.
The NDLEA boss also proposed the creation of joint analysis cells to enable real-time transmission of intelligence from local communities to the military, police, and other security agencies.
He further recommended regular interagency briefings, the development of shared databases, and the establishment of a unified command structure to close operational gaps exploited by criminal elements—while ensuring respect for human rights and maintaining public trust.
