The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Criminal Police Organisation to enable it to contribute to the pool of global criminal data and also access the records of 195 countries around the world for its use.
The agency Chairman, Brig Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), signed for the agency while the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the National Central Bureau, who is also the Vice President, INTERPOL Africa, Garba Umar, endorsed the document on behalf of the global body.
Speaking at a brief ceremony at the NCB secretariat, Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, Marwa noted that the drug business is international in scope, adding that the scourge of drug abuse had continued to destroy lives, youths, families and communities.
The NDLEA chairman also stressed that the drug business fuelled criminalities because perpetrators either consumed illicit substances or used the proceeds to fund their nefarious criminal activities.
“As we are after drug cartels and barons, we are not under the illusion that they won’t be after us, but we are always steps ahead of them. This is why all security agencies must collaborate to fight the cartels, whether in Nigeria or anywhere in the world. We are therefore happy that the signing of this MoU allows us access to contribute and benefit from criminal data records of 195 countries globally,” the NDLEA boss stated.
He also commended the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba for his leadership and his commitment to partner with NDLEA in the fight against illicit drugs, citing the IG’s memo to all police formations across the country which stated that all drug cases must be transferred to the NDLEA across the states for investigation and prosecution.
Speaking, Umar commended Marwa for transforming the NDLEA, while he called for more support for the anti-narcotics agency from all relevant stakeholders.
He also highlighted the significance of the MoU to the success of NDLEA operations and assured the full support of INTERPOL at all times.
