Closing knowledge deficits is crucial to addressing security challenges, says Marwa

Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, has underscored the importance of bridging fundamental gaps in intelligence sharing to effectively address Nigeria's security challenges, emphasizing that this is a critical step towards a safer nation.

Marwa made this call at the Army War College Nigeria, where he noted that Nigeria faces a complex security landscape, marked by insurgency and terrorism in the North East, farmer-herder conflicts in the North West and North Central, and secessionist agitations in the South East.

The NDLEA boss highlighted the need for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, stressing that criminals are increasingly sophisticated and exploit technology, government spaces, and transnational networks to perpetuate crime, including drug trafficking and consumption in the South, South and South West.

Marwa emphasized the link between drug trafficking and the funding of other security threats, noting that tackling these issues requires integrated collaboration across all security stakeholders, including the armed forces, law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and civil society.

He stated that the notion of security as purely a military or law enforcement concern is no longer sufficient, and there must be stronger operational synergy among the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Security Services, NDLEA, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigeria Customs Service.

Marwa called for a seamless and secure mechanism for real-time intelligence sharing, cross-agency training, and scenario-based drills to enhance operational interoperability and mutual trust, also highlighting the role of civilians in intelligence gathering and the importance of community policing and public trust.

The seminar, themed “Enhancing Intelligence Sharing Across Nigeria’s Security Ecosystem: From Friction to Collaboration”, was described by Marwa as a platform to foster interagency cooperation and develop actionable strategies for a safer Nigeria, which took place on Thursday in Abuja at the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) Course 10/2026 Interagency Seminar.

Retired Maj.-Gen. Samuel Adebayo, former Chief of Defence Intelligence, warned that intelligence gaps among Nigeria’s security agencies remain a critical vulnerability in the nation’s security architecture, emphasizing that intelligence goes beyond traditional agencies to correctional facilities, local communities, and the public.

Adebayo noted that these gaps often result in delayed warnings, fragmented situational awareness, and incomplete threat assessments, which are frequently exploited by criminal networks, insurgents, and other non-state actors, citing historical and contemporary security challenges such as the Boko Haram insurgency and banditry in the northwest.

He explained that Nigeria’s security ecosystem suffers from interagency rivalries, poor coordination, and inadequate integration of intelligence, stressing that bridging these gaps is not only a strategic priority but also essential for effective national security operations and protection of critical infrastructure and vulnerable communities.

Adebayo urged for enhanced intelligence sharing and unity of effort among all security stakeholders, highlighting that coordinated action strengthens operational effectiveness and public confidence, and that effective intelligence integration allows agencies to anticipate threats, disrupt hostile activities, and respond decisively to emerging crises.

Earlier, the Commandant of AWCN, Maj.-Gen. Umar Alkali, welcomed the seminar’s participants, which include 100 officers from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and allied forces from 10 African countries, as well as 43 participants from Nigeria Police, NDLEA, DSS, and other federal agencies.

Alkali said the course was designed to equip participants with skills in inter-agency cooperation, strategic analysis, and national security management, in line with the seminar's objectives.