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• US AFRICOM delegation meets Marwa, assures NDLEA of enhanced collaboration, support
From Aidoghie Paulinus and Godwin Tsa, Abuja
In a bid to strengthen the security of the country, the Government of the United States, has delivered critical military supplies to the Federal Government.
The United States Africa Command, otherwise known as AFRICOM, disclosed the development in a post on its X handle.
It explained that the delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and emphasizes the shared security partnership between the United States and Nigeria.
“U.S. forces delivered critical military supplies to our Nigerian partners in Abuja. This delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and emphasizes our shared security partnership,” AFRICOM said.
AFRICOM is responsible for military relations between the United States and other countries and regional organisations in Africa.
On December 26, 2025, it announced that at the direction of President Donald Trump of the United States and the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, it conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on December 25, 2025, in Sokoto State.
The military airstrike was an outcome of the earlier designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, following allegations of genocide against Christians in the country.
Meanwhile, a delegation of senior officials of the United States Africa Command has pledged enhanced collaboration and partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against illicit drugs.
The delegation, led by Philip Esch, commended the relationship between NDLEA and AFRICOM during its meeting with the chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig-Gen. Mohammed Marwa (rtd).
Esch, who is US Drug Enforcement Administration liaison to AFRICOM, said the relationship between NDLEA and US-DEA was not only a partnership but also very important to the US government.
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He commended Marwa for providing good leadership and being open to international partnerships.
“We appreciate all the support and the leadership you provide. Obviously, you know that the relationship between NDLEA and DEA is of utmost importance, and we appreciate the excellent relationship across US law enforcement with you and the NDLEA.
“We want that to continue and we are very happy that your tenure was renewed for another five years. We really look forward to continued engagement,” Esch stated.
Also speaking at the meeting, another member of the delegation, James Elseth, expressed excitement about supporting NDLEA because of the agency’s tremendous work in Nigeria, which is equally contributing to the security of other countries.
“I want to thank you, General, because you have a regional mindset and an international mindset, that is showing clearly in the scope and impact of your work.
“A lot of countries that we work with only focus on their country. And, just like DEA and FBI, we have an international mindset to try to stop organized crime from impacting our respective countries.”
He commended NDLEA for providing adequate maintenance of equipment and facilities earlier provided by the US government, while assuring him that two major projects were already in the works to further support the agency, in addition to training and others.
In his response, Marwa expressed appreciation for the visit and commended ongoing support from US-AFRICOM to NDLEA while congratulating Esch on his years of meritorious service to the US government.
“We appreciate very much the ongoing support from AFRICOM. I must also say that whatever we are achieving is due to this kind of support from you and our other international partners and more importantly due to the commitment and encouragement from the renewed hope administration of President Bola Tinubu.”
He urged the team to continue to support NDLEA especially because of the nexus between illicit drugs and terrorism.
He said the Agency will appreciate more support on scanning equipment at the airports, digital forensic tools, portable drug detection equipment, forensic laboratory equipment and sniffer dogs among others.
