The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and the International Criminal Police Organisation known as Interpol, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU, to enable the anti-narcotics agency to contribute to the pool of global criminal data records.
The MoU will also give them access to the records of 195 countries around the world.
The Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) signed for the Agency while the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the National Central Bureau and Vice President, of Interpol Africa, Garba Baba Umar, endorsed the document on behalf of the global body.
At the signing of the agreement in Abuja, General Marwa said that the drug business is international in scope while the scourge of drug abuse has continued to destroy lives, youths, families, and communities, stressing that it also fuels criminalities because perpetrators either consume illicit substances or use proceeds to fund their nefarious criminal activities.
“As we are after the 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”.
Marwa said, “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”.
He commended Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman for providing good leadership for the Nigeria Police and his commitment to partner with NDLEA in the fight against illicit drugs in Nigeria.
AIG Garba Umar commended Marwa for transforming NDLEA into a ground breaking agency within a short time of his assumption of office.
He called for more support for the anti-narcotics agency from all relevant stakeholders especially security agencies.
He highlighted the significance of the MoU to the success of NDLEA operations and assured of the full support of Interpol at all times.
Dominica Nwabufo
