Heads of anti-drug agencies to be hosted by NDLEA in Abuja

The 31st meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa (HONLAF), which will take place in Abuja the following week, will bring together representatives from 54 African nations as well as 15 observer countries to discuss new partnerships and trends aimed at containing the global drug scourge.

This was revealed in a statement by the NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday during a press conference with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, and the UNODC’s Country Representative, Oliver Stolpe.

The agenda, according to the announcement, would include discussions and joint ventures on topics like cryptocurrencies, money laundering by drug gangs, alternative development to cannabis production, and asset forfeiture.

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) of the NDLEA, who is the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, was represented at the briefing by Haruna.

He stated that the purpose of the 31st meeting was to give leaders of drug law enforcement agencies in Africa the opportunity to discuss and formulate plans to combat drug misuse and trafficking in the area.

“The HONLAF summit takes place every year. Nigeria was overwhelmingly chosen to host the 31st edition, which will take place in Abuja from Tuesday, September 26 to Friday, September 29, 2023. The previous one was hosted in Nairobi, Kenya.

The agenda for this year’s HONLAF meeting includes technical sessions, paper presentations, discussions of reports and trends, workshops, and bilateral discussions between member countries. It serves as a platform for facilitating partnerships in the fight against global drug cartels throughout the African continent through combined operations, joint training, and the sharing of intelligence.

Nigeria enjoys the privilege of serving as the meeting’s chair and host this year. Delegates from 53 other African nations will therefore arrive in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on Monday, and will stay with NDLEA and the Federal Government of Nigeria for the remainder of the week.

“Aside from delegates from African countries, there will also be representatives from observer bodies and other non-African countries who will be attending to watch the proceedings”, he stated.

As the special guest of honour, President Bola Tinubu is anticipated to deliver the keynote speech and declare the conference open. Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, along with a few other invited ministers and the leaders of pertinent parastatals and agencies, will also attend the opening ceremony.

The HONLAF summit, according to Stolpe’s statements, will also be centred on “regional and national cooperation to minimise illicit production and cultivation of illicit substances and manufacturing of other drugs like methamphetamine.