The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US DEA) have underscored the need to strengthen their existing collaboration in combating substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
This was the highlight of discussions during a meeting between the Chairman and CEO of the NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, and the Country Attaché of the US DEA, Ms Daphne Morrison, at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja on Friday, May 23.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, said in a statement sent to Persecondnews on Friday in Abuja that Ms Morrison, who was recently posted to Nigeria, thanked Marwa for the cordial working relationship and partnership between the NDLEA and DEA.
She said: “I wanted to make this one of my priorities to come meet with you so we can continue to collaborate and work together. And thank you so much for your support over the years, and we are ready to keep things going.
“I know you have been working well with the last Country Attaché, so I am ready to get back in and collaborate and do some really great things with you.”
She said efforts are underway to organise further training for officers and personnel of the Agency’s Special Operations Units, while looking forward to several joint operations with the NDLEA in already identified areas of interest.
In his response, the NDLEA chairman acknowledged the excellent relationship with Morrison’s predecessors.
He said: “They have been very, very supportive, and I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that it will be the same, if not better, with you.”
He noted the recent evolution of the NDLEA, marked by an increase in its workforce, expansion of operational and administrative structures, as well as the remarkable successes recorded in its drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
While acknowledging the support received from the DEA over the years, particularly in areas of equipment, training, and joint operations, Mr Marwa expressed hope that such support would continue and possibly expand.
He said: “I think we would welcome much more support but because this being your first visit to introduce yourself, I am not going to bring out a long list of demands or requests, but just to acknowledge that we appreciate all the support we have been receiving.”
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