By Emmanuel Obisue
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and the Narcotics Control Bureau of India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU to block the pipeline of illicit drug flow.
Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, who signed the MoU on behalf of Nigeria, said the move represents a robust partnership in the effort to exterminate incidences of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the two countries.
“This bold step taken by the two agencies is an affirmation of our foresight and commitment to the task of ensuring the safety of our citizens and the global community at large.
“Today’s development constitutes a fundamental step towards positioning the two countries, India and Nigeria, at the forefront of confronting and dismantling transnational drug trafficking networks with brazen capabilities of out maneuvering legitimate drug law enforcement.
“With our understanding of the changing dynamics of the illicit drug problems, locally and globally, every major organisation around the world working assiduously to curb the menace knows that working with partners greatly helps in addressing the trafficking and abuse of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
“The governments of both countries remain committed to eradicating the problem posed by illicit substances, notably synthetic opioids and Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) which pose a potent threat to our citizens,” he said.
The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria and Head of the Indian delegation, Ambassador Shri G. Balasubramanian in his remarks after signing on behalf of his country, noted the enormous negative impact of drugs on global financial and political systems, adding that proceeds of drug trafficking are often directed towards terrorism financing.
He observed that drug trafficking does not only affect the health of the individual that consumes it but equally the economy of the country as well as national security.
The Indian High Commissioner advised that both countries should take advantage of their similar demographic advantage to address substance use problems.
He noted that the liberal trade relations and educational advantages enjoyed by both countries have been negatively applied to the further criminal drug trade, urging that all hands must be on deck to ensure that merchants of death do not succeed in their evil trade.
