In a strategic move to combat the intertwined threats of human trafficking, drug trafficking, and substance abuse, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have established joint teams.
This collaborative effort is a fallout from discussions between NDLEA Chairman/CEO, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, and the NAPTIP Director General, Binta Lami Adamu- Bello, during a courtesy visit to Marwa at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Friday, April 25.
In a statement sent to Persecondnews on Friday in Abuja, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said Marwa congratulated Adamu Bello on her appointment as NAPTIP’s Director General, praising her for hitting the ground running in tackling the agency’s critical mandate.
He said: “There is a linkage between human trafficking, drug trafficking and abuse. Some trafficked persons are used as mules, some may know, some may not know, they may give them drugs, sewn into their bag, and they can be drugged to be compliant, to do what they want.
“So, this is an area that we should collaborate further by signing an MoU that will actually bring about definite and unambiguous areas of collaboration.”
Marwa assured Adamu-Bello of NDLEA’s readiness to strengthen its partnership with NAPTIP, announcing a three-member liaison team to collaborate with NAPTIP’s team on key areas of mutual interest.
Speaking earlier, NAPTIP DG emphasized the importance of a strong partnership between the two agencies to disrupt criminal networks involved in human trafficking, drug trafficking, and substance abuse.
She said: “Drug trafficking and human trafficking are increasingly connected, both globally and locally. Women and children are used as drug couriers. Victims are also drugged and subjected to substance abuse as a method of control when they are trafficked.
“Furthermore, both crimes thrive on similar enablers, that is, porous borders, corruption, poverty, weak institutions, and digital space. Intelligence reports have shown overlaps in networks operating in both spheres, hence the urgent need for a coordinated response.
“We believe that there is immense potential for deepened collaboration between NAPTIP and NDLEA.
“Some actionable areas could include joint investigation and intelligence sharing, capacity building and cross-training, victim-centered approach, technology and data integration, public enlightenment and preventive advocacy, and legal reforms.
“And this could be achieved, by our proposal of the next steps to be taken, that is, setting up of a liaison team to develop NAPTIP-NDLEA strategic action plan for the short to medium term activities, schedule bilateral meetings to review our operation partnership at least once or twice a year, and explore opportunities for international collaboration, which we are all aware that the two agencies are closely partnering with various international organizations.
“I want to affirm that NAPTIP is fully committed to partnership, professionalism, and patriotic service. We believe that together we will not only disrupt criminal networks, but also protect and empower vulnerable Nigerians who are often the ultimate victims of these crimes.”
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