BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has pledged to support the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in tackling illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The association made the commitment when its President, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting focused on strengthening the role of aviation professionals in preventing drug trafficking and safeguarding flight safety and national security.
Speaking during the visit, Gindeh said the fight against narcotics and the preservation of aviation safety were now closely linked, noting that pilots and maintenance engineers operate at critical points of aviation operations, including cockpits, hangars and airports.
“This visit is not ceremonial. 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,” Gindeh stated.
He said aviation professionals were often well positioned to identify unusual behaviour, unexplained wealth and suspicious cargo-handling activities, stressing that a proactive union was necessary to close loopholes that could be exploited by drug cartels.
“NAAPE does not see itself as a spectator in this effort,” he said. “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.”
NAAPE proposed four areas of collaboration, including joint awareness and integrity sessions for flight crews, engineers and aviation students with NDLEA airport commands.
It also proposed confidential reporting channels between NAAPE branches and the NDLEA, joint fitness-for-duty and substance-abuse prevention programmes across airlines and maintenance facilities, as well as continuous professional education to help identify behavioural and security concerns early.
Gindeh commended Marwa for the NDLEA’s efforts against 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 also presented Marwa with an Award for Excellence in Leadership in recognition of his commitment to the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
Responding, Marwa commended NAAPE for its proactive approach and willingness to support the anti-narcotics campaign.
He described aviation workers as crucial gatekeepers whose vigilance could help curb 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 said.
The NDLEA chairman said collaboration with professional bodies such as NAAPE could strengthen prevention efforts by taking 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,” Marwa stated.
Both organisations expressed interest in maintaining a regular working relationship to promote professional integrity, prevent substance abuse and strengthen the safety and security of Nigeria’s aviation system.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
