NAAPE, NDLEA team up to curb illicit drug trafficking, substance abuse

The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has pledged to support the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in preventing illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse within Nigeria’s aviation sector.

The association made the commitment during a courtesy visit by its President, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), in Abuja.

The meeting focused on the role aviation professionals can play in strengthening the fight against illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse.

Speaking during the visit, Gindeh emphasised that the fight against narcotics and the preservation of aviation safety had become inextricably linked.

He noted that licensed pilots and maintenance engineers operate at critical points across the aviation system, including before departure, during flight and in aircraft hangars, where public trust must remain absolute.

“Fighting illicit drugs and protecting aviation safety are now the same fight. They meet at our airports, our cockpits, our hangars, and in the lives of the young Nigerians we both serve.

“Airports remain a top target for trafficking, and when a professional is compromised, it is not just a crime; it is a direct threat to flight safety and national security,” he said.

Gindeh explained that aviation professionals were often the first line of defence in identifying unusual occurrences, including sudden changes in colleagues’ behaviour, unexplained wealth and suspicious cargo-handling activities.

He stressed the need for a proactive union to help close vulnerabilities that drug cartels could exploit.

“Our members work where aviation safety is protected every day.

“We have a responsibility to promote integrity, fitness for duty, and a culture in which legitimate concerns can be raised before they become serious threats,” he said.

The NAAPE president also commended Marwa for the NDLEA’s efforts in tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse, as well as the renewed intensity of the agency’s campaign against illicit drugs.

He noted that the agency’s efforts also focus on disrupting trafficking networks, tracing cartel finances and reducing drug demand among young Nigerians.

In his response, Marwa commended NAAPE for its proactive leadership and willingness to align with the anti-narcotics campaign.

He described aviation workers as crucial gatekeepers whose vigilance could significantly hamper the movement of illicit drugs across international borders.

The NDLEA chairman said collaboration with professional bodies such as NAAPE could strengthen prevention efforts by extending the campaign beyond enforcement to workplaces, training institutions and professional communities.

“Every responsible sector must contribute to prevention. We want to deepen partnerships that help us detect threats earlier, protect young Nigerians from substance abuse, and ensure that criminal networks do not exploit legitimate systems and professionals for their activities,” he said.