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 in 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), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
The visit focused on strengthening collaboration between aviation professionals and the NDLEA in the fight against illicit drugs, with both sides emphasising the link between professional integrity, flight safety and national security.
Gindeh stressed that the fight against narcotics and the preservation of aviation safety had become closely connected, noting that licensed pilots and maintenance engineers operated at critical points of aviation operations, including before departure, during flights and inside hangars.
READ MORE: NDLEA Calls For Recovery Of Drug-Linked Wealth
“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,” Gindeh stated.
“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.”
The NAAPE President 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.
“NAAPE does not see itself as a spectator in this effort. 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,” Gindeh maintained.
To strengthen the collaboration, NAAPE outlined four key areas of action: organising joint awareness and integrity sessions for flight crews, engineers and aviation students in collaboration with NDLEA airport commands; establishing clear and confidential reporting channels between NAAPE branches and the NDLEA; developing joint fitness-for-duty and substance-abuse prevention programmes across airlines and maintenance facilities; and strengthening continuous professional education to support early identification of behavioural and security concerns.
Gindeh also commended Marwa for the NDLEA’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse, particularly the agency’s focus on disrupting trafficking networks, tracing cartel finances and reducing drug demand among young Nigerians.
During the visit, the NAAPE leadership presented Marwa with an Award for Excellence in Leadership in recognition of his leadership and commitment to the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
Responding, Marwa commended NAAPE for its proactive leadership and willingness to align with the anti-narcotics campaign.
The NDLEA chairman described aviation workers as crucial gatekeepers whose vigilance could significantly hinder the movement of illicit drugs across international borders.
“We welcome this timely partnership with NAAPE. The aviation sector is a vital gateway to our economy and international image, and we cannot afford to let drug cartels infiltrate it. Pilots and engineers hold immense public trust, and your willingness to serve as eyes and ears for intelligence sharing will bolster our operational efficiency at all international airports,” Marwa stated.
The visit ended with both sides expressing interest in maintaining a regular working relationship.
NAAPE pledged to continue exploring areas of cooperation that would strengthen professional integrity, prevent substance abuse and support efforts to keep Nigeria’s aviation system safe.
