The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), on Tuesday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would inflict maximum loss on drug cartels.

The NDLEA chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, and the comptroller general of NCS, retired Col. Hameed Ali, signed the MoU in Abuja.

The MoU is expected to inflict severe loss on drug cartels bent on trafficking illicit substances to the detriment of Nigeria and Nigerians.

In his remarks, Mr Marwa expressed delight at the decision by the two government agencies to document their working relationship in an MoU.

He said the move was undoubtedly a benchmark for information and intelligence sharing.

The NDLEA boss revealed that the document contained several innovations that would encourage interpersonal relationships amongst the rank and file at various levels of command and administration of the two organisations.

Mr Marwa added that it provided for joint personnel training just as it made provisions for regular meetings of command officers at various levels of command structures.

The NDLEA chairman said it was also a platform for sharing operational and administrative experiences to adopt best practices that work.

Mr Marwa said that it was, therefore, imperative to drive the implementation of the MoU to ensure that its objectives and derivable are achieved.

He noted that the expected outcome of the series of interactions among both organisations would be to foster a better understanding of the respective roles and mandates of the two organisations.

“The ultimate objective is to dissolve suspicion, friction and general interagency rivalry that does not do our nation any good in effectively securing our dear country’s entry and exit points.”

Earlier, Mr Ali commended Mr Marwa for initiating the MoU, saying that it would help send a strong signal in the fight against crime.

“We believe that coming together shows commitment to saving this nation from drugs and other substances. I want to take this special opportunity to thank my senior for initiating this MOU.

“I must say something; Marwa is a very committed person. It is not new to us in the uniform to see his strides for those who have had the opportunity to serve with him. He is a game player and a game changer.

“When my attention was drawn to this initiative, I knew this was the Marwa trend. I thank him for initiating this event and creating an avenue for us to synergise and come up with a veritable way for fighting drug abuse in this nation,” he said.

Mr Ali reiterated that the coming together of both agencies would signal to the nation and the international partners that the agencies were committed to protecting the borders from illicit drugs.

He gave assurance of the commitment of the NCS to the implementation of the MoU, saying the agency was grateful to have been incorporated into the initiative.

“Both of us must ensure we deploy technology as we go into this commitment to fighting the drug menace,” he said. 

(NAN)