USA to increase technical support for Nigeria to tackle illicit drug trafficking
The United States Government has promised to increase its technical support for Nigeria in the country’s effort to tackle the menace of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard gave the assurance during a courtesy call on the Chairman/Chief Executive of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (ND!EA) Brig. Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) OFR.
According to Leonard, Nigeria occupies a strategic position in the drug trafficking route, a position that holds much attraction for drug traffickers within the West African sub-region. “it is in every body’s interest to ensure that Nigeria is on top of the drug situation. The USG will continue to support Nigeria to ensure that current efforts are surpassed and sustained”, she said adding that “we look forward to a more mutually beneficial cooperation and improved performances by all the specialized units of the Agency”.
The Ambassador who congratulated General Marwa on his appointment as the new NDLEA Chairman assured that the agency would get the neccessary support. “We have implicit confidence in your ability to improve on what you have met on ground and we welcome any request for assistance in a number of areas that can lead to the elimination of the drug challenges being faced globally”, Leonard maintained.
General Marwa expressed appreciation to American Government for the continuous support over the years iin the area of capacity building, intelligence sharing and equipment, noting that the Agency has had very successful control delivery operations leading to huge seizures of drugs. “We must deepen the existing collaboration and intensify intelligence sharing. We must work together more effectively to tackle the transnational drug problem”, Marwa maintained that the perpetrators of the condemnable drug crime work as a network and that nations too must work as a network.
Marwa assured the Ambassador that the Agency under him will be fierce, decisive and hard on criminals and non-compromising. “Our vision is very clear. It is to reposition the Agency to be more purposeful, resourceful, responsive and responsible. The synergy with our international collaborators is cardinal to the realization of this vision”, Marwa said.
