The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States (DEA) have stressed the need to strengthen current collaboration between the two agencies in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

This was the high point of discussion during a meeting between NDLEA chairman Buba Marwa and the country attaché of U.S.-DEA, Daphne Morrison, on Friday in Abuja.

NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said in a statement that the country attaché of the U.S.-DEA appreciated Mr Marwa’s cordial working relationship and partnership with the agency.

Ms Morrison, who was recently posted to Nigeria, 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’re ready to keep things going.

“I know you’ve been working well with the last country attaché, so I’m ready to get back in and collaborate and do some really great things with you.”

Ms Morrison also said efforts were ongoing to organise more training for officers and men of the special operations units of the NDLEA.

She added that the U.S.-DEA was looking forward to several joint operations with NDLEA in already identified areas of interest.

In response, the NDLEA boss acknowledged the excellent relationships with Ms Morrison’s predecessors.

“They’ve 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 said.

Mr Marwa noted the recent evolution of NDLEA in terms of the size of its workforce and the expansion of operational and administrative structures.

He said this was responsible for the remarkable successes recorded in its drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

The NDLEA chair acknowledged the support received from the DEA over the years, especially in equipment, training, and joint operations, while expressing hope that more of such support would continue.

“I think we would welcome much more support, but because this is your first visit to introduce yourself, I’m not going to bring out a long list of demands or requests.

“But, this is just to acknowledge that we appreciate all the support we’ve been receiving,” he said. 

(NAN)