The government of the United States has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of increased support and collaboration in various areas of its strategic operations in order to bolster the agency’s capacity to combat substance addiction and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
According to a statement released on Thursday by NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, Dr. Mark Hove of the Africa and Middle East Office of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the United States Department of State provided this assurance on Wednesday, June 1st.
Dr. Hove made the statement while accompanying another senior official of the Bureau, Craig Nixon, on a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired) at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
This follows a recent official letter from the Bureau announcing the U.S. project grant to the NDLEA in response to Gen. Marwa’s requests made during a succession of meetings in both Abuja and Washington, D.C.
The grant, which will be administered by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Nigeria, covers the Agency’s forensic and chemical analysis capacity, intelligence-led investigations through diverse resources, and legal books and an e-library for prosecution and other legal needs.
During Wednesday’s visit, Mark Hove praised the NDLEA under the leadership of Marwa for the tremendous work it has accomplished thus far and expressed satisfaction with the Agency’s response to the threat posed by lethal illegal substances such as Fentanyl, Captagon, and Methamphetamine.
The NDLEA’s recent seizure of over 2.1 tons of cocaine in the Ikorodu neighborhood of Lagos was cited as a remarkable achievement by him. Hove stated that he came to the Agency to discuss areas of increased assistance and increased collaboration.
According to him, the NDLEA is well-positioned to serve as a training center for other anti-drug agencies in Africa, given the agency’s track record of success.
In his response, General Marwa expressed gratitude to the INL for its assistance to the Agency and its willingness to do more.
He stated that this will considerably enhance the NDLEA’s investigative and prosecutorial capabilities, particularly since the National Assembly has amended the Agency’s enabling legislation to further bolster its capacity.
The head of NDLEA was pleased with the collaboration between NDLEA and the US Drug Enforcement Administration to combat illicit drug trafficking between the United States and Nigeria, as well as internationally.
“There is a need for greater collaboration on Fentanyl and other substances,” added Marwa.
