Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has called for the bridging of fundamental gaps in intelligence sharing as a critical step in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

Marwa made the call at the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) Course 10/2026 Interagency Seminar on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the country faces a complex security landscape marked by insurgency and terrorism in the North East; farmer-herder conflicts in the North West and North Central; secessionist agitations in the South East; and organised crime in the South, South and South West, including drug trafficking and consumption.

Marwa emphasised the need for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, noting that criminals are increasingly sophisticated, exploiting technology, government spaces, and transnational networks to perpetuate crime.

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

“The notion of security as purely a military or law enforcement concern is no longer sufficient.

“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,” he said.

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.

He also highlighted the role of civilians in intelligence gathering, stressing 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.

In his lecture titled “Bridging Intelligence Gaps Among Security Agencies for Enhanced National Security”, former Chief of Defence Intelligence, retired Maj.-Gen. Samuel Adebayo, warned that intelligence gaps among Nigeria’s security agencies remain a critical vulnerability in the nation’s security architecture.

Adebayo emphasised that intelligence goes beyond the traditional agencies such as the police, Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, and Civil Defence, extending to correctional facilities, local communities, and even the public.

He 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.

According to Adebayo, historical and contemporary security challenges—from the Boko Haram insurgency and banditry in the northwest to piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and cybercrime—have exposed the limitations of siloed intelligence operations.

He explained that Nigeria’s security ecosystem, comprising multiple agencies with overlapping responsibilities, suffers from interagency rivalries, poor coordination, and inadequate integration of intelligence.

The former intelligence chief said 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, stressing that coordinated action strengthens operational effectiveness and public confidence.

He highlighted 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.

He said the participants also include 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. (NAN)