The Nigeria government and India have agreed to exchange intelligence to tackle drug trafficking syndicates between the two countries.
They also agreed to strengthen the capacity of officers of Nigeria’s Anti-narcotic agencies NDLEA (Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency).
The agreements were reached at the end of a two-day bilateral meeting held in New Delhi, India between a delegation of Nigeria’s Anti-narcotic Agency NDLEA and Indian Narcotics Control Bureau, NCB.
Nigeria, India agree to share intelligence on drug trafficking syndicates
. As Marwa holds bilateral talks with counterpart in New Delhi pic.twitter.com/VFfvV40B7y
— NDLEA NIGERIA (@ndlea_nigeria) December 13, 2022
The meeting also recommended exchange of best practices in drug demand reduction and sharing of real time information on the involvement of nationals of both countries in drug trafficking as well as conducting joint operations.
The meeting also agreed on collaboration between NDLEA and NCB on how to control the importation of tramadol above 100mg as well as certain categories of precursors into Nigeria.
Both leaders have agreed to hold another bilateral meeting in Nigeria in 2023.
The Chief Executive NDLEA Retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa who led the NDLEA delegation, underscored the importance of the meeting to the global action against drug trafficking given the historical antecedents of both countries, language, legal systems, population and the existing robust trade relations.
Marwa reiterated the need for strengthened collaboration between the two agencies in the fight against illicit drug cultivation, production and trafficking.
While highlighting Nigeria’s drug use and trafficking challenges, he noted the increased national efforts to adopting a balanced approach to addressing both the drug supply and demands reduction.
He further underlined the importance of international cooperation and stakeholders’ engagement, adding that Nigeria has a “National Drug Control Master Plan as the veritable tool to drug control and enforcement, which has facilitated effective co-ordination at federal and state levels and is being encouraged at the local government level.”
He expressed the hope that a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, that would define the relationship between the two agencies with reference to information sharing, assets tracing and forfeiture of assets found to be connected to, and/or proceeds, of drug trafficking would be finalised soon.
The Director General, Indian Narcotics Control Bureau, NCB Mr. Satya Narayan Pradhan identified drug trafficking through maritime and air route is a challenge for both countries.
He elaborated on trends showing the emergence of illicit drug trafficking through couriers, dark-net markets and social media platforms with a promise to share the information about the latest mechanism and technologies to fight the emerging threats.
Minister- Counsellor, High Commission of Nigeria, New Delhi, Mrs. Eucharia Ngozi Eze, and Director Prosecution and Legal Services of NDLEA Mr. Joseph Nbona Sunday, were among the delegation at the visit.
