Dipo Olowookere
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A memorandum of understanding aimed to put drug traffickers in the country out of business has been sealed between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Hameed Ali, who led the management team of the NCS to the headquarters of the NDLEA on Tuesday, said the deal would serve as a “strong signal to the crime predators” in Nigeria.
He further said the partnership would mitigate suspicion and rivalry between the two agencies and would intensify security measures at the borderline against drug trafficking.
According to him, the idea is to strengthen the country’s war against drug traffickers and checkmate the illegal activities of criminals across Nigeria’s airports, seaports, and land borders.
“We believe that coming together as a body that is committed to making this nation a drug trafficking-free zone, this is surely the best step to start,” Mr Ali said.
While commending the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Mr Buba Marwa, for initiating the bond, Mr Ali said that the NCS-NDLEA synergy would send a message to the international countries that the duo agencies are boldly ready to protect Nigerian borders from illicit trafficking of hard drugs.
According to him, customs has, over the years, been fighting against drug trafficking and has never failed to hand over every seized substance to the authorities of the NDLEA.
“This is what we do better because that’s where it belongs, and that’s where the case will properly be pursued and investigated,” he added.
The Comptroller General expressed optimism that, with Mr Marwa in NDLEA, the partnership would properly be maintained, and the entire NCS will respect the collaboration, as it will certainly reduce the menace of drug trafficking in Nigeria.
“In line with our mission to end drug trafficking and every illegal trade-related operation in Nigeria, we have already improved our technological operation significantly, and I want to implore you to come together and ensure that we build a stable system that will enable us to achieve this target effectively at our borders,” he stated.
Mr urged the NDLEA to always send feedback to the NCS upon every handed-over case for upload to its database.
Mr Marwa, while speaking earlier, described the signing of the MoU as a benchmark for achieving a common goal to get rid of illicit drug trafficking and consumption in Nigeria, expressing optimism that the MoU would inflict maximum loss on drug cartels bent on trafficking illicit substances at the detriment of Nigeria and Nigerians.
“This is certainly a benchmark for information and or intelligence sharing. It is also a platform for sharing operational and administrative experiences to adopt best practices that work. With this united front, there can only be one assurance that the criminal elements in our society will be the losers, and I assure you that they will certainly lose big as we come for them to put them where they rightly belong and cripple their crime syndicates.
“Therefore, on behalf of the NDLEA, I assure you of our commitment to this MoU and intend to provide all the necessary support required to drive the implementation process to ensure the realization of all accruable benefits. As it is usually said, together we stand and remain undefeatable,” he said.
