The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has called on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to tackle money laundering and terrorism.

The CIBN stated this in a statement issued by its Head of Corporate Commission, Nelson Olagundoye, on Sunday in Lagos.

The statement also said that the institute was proposing an annual joint conference that would focus on proffering solutions to the challenge as part of the collaboration.

According to the statement, CIBN’s President/Chairman of Council, Bayo Olugbemi, made the call when he was received by the NDLEA chairman, Buba Marwa, in Abuja recently.

The CIBN boss said the purpose of the visit was to discuss how CIBN could deepen the relationship between the agency and the banking industry.

Mr Olugbemi added that the institute was ready to collaborate with the NDLEA’s academy on relevant certification programmes and provide technical expertise to enhance the existing competencies in the Academy.

He urged the agency to partner CIBN to educate Nigerian youths on the dangers of hard drugs to human health.

Mr Olugbemi further sought the agency’s support for the proposed amendment of the CIBN Act of 2007. This is to enhance the power of the disciplinary tribunal to discipline erring bankers, among others.

Mr Marwa, while welcoming the CIBN team, said about 15 million Nigerian youth were into illicit drug consumption. He said their indulgence contributed to the high level of crime in the country, especially banditry and incessant kidnapping of school pupils.

According to him, the NDLEA had seized over N90 billion worth of drugs while going after drug barons’ property.

He assured CIBN of NDLEA’s readiness to collaborate with it on the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act (AML/CTF).

The NDLEA chief also promised collaboration on relevant banking operation fundamentals to fight against crime in the country.

(NAN)