By Ibironke Ariyo/Lengnan Dapam Tobias
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Narcotics Control
Commission (NACOC) of Ghana, have strengthened ties against drug trafficking
cartels across the West Africa sub-region and beyond.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by a delegation from NACOC on Tuesday in
Abuja, the NDLEA boss, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the new partnership
would serve as a warning to drug cartels planning to destabilise the West Africa
sub-region with illicit drugs.
The NACOC team was led by the Director General, Brig.-Gen. Maxwell Mantey
on the benchmarking visit and study tour of the NDLEA operational model.
Marwa noted that the visit was a testament to the longstanding cooperation
between the two nations and a clear signal that the bond between Nigeria and
Ghana remained a cornerstone of regional security in West Africa.
“Let this visit serve as a warning to those who seek to destabilise our societies with
illicit drugs; Nigeria and Ghana stand united.
“We will continue to innovate, collaborate and dominate the tactical space, until
our streets and communities are safe,” 9he said.
The NDLEA boss further noted that the threat posed by transnational organised
crime, particularly drug trafficking and its associated money laundering activities,
knew no borders.
According to him, the evolution of these threats requires a response that is not only
robust, but also deeply collaborative.
“We recognise that by coming together to share expertise in intelligence-led
operations and interdiction strategies, we are effectively narrowing the space for
criminal cartels to operate within our sub-region.
“This visit is more than a study tour. It is a strategic alignment.
“During your time with us, we look forward to knowledge exchange during which
we share the NDLEA’s recent advancements in digital forensics and organisational
best practices,” he said.
Marwa added that part of the expected gains were operational synergy, as the
agency would be discussing emerging trafficking trends that affected the West
African corridor, saying that the agency would equally explore new frontiers for
technical cooperation and joint training exercises.
“This agreement on combating the illicit production of psychotropic substances,
their precursors and related money laundering activities, provides us with a legal
and operational roadmap.
“It moves our relationship from informal consultation to a structured, aggressive
and unified front against drug barons,”he stated.
NDLEA management staff with delegations from NACOC
In his remarks, Brig. Gen. Mantey, noted that Nigeria had consistently played a
leading role within the region and Ghana had held that leadership in the highest
regard.
The highpoint of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) between the NDLEA and the NACOC.
