The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has pledged to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to curb the use of trucks and passenger vehicles to transport illicit drugs in Nigeria.

This is part of the ongoing offensive action against substance abuse and trafficking across Nigeria.

The commitment was made on Thursday by the national president of NARTO, Yusuf Othman, when he led other leaders of the union on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA in Abuja.

According to a statement by NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, Mr Othman commended Mr Marwa’s courage, vision, and patriotism in leading the agency.

Mr Othman said the visit reflected the association’s deep appreciation of NDLEA’s efforts and its readiness as a key stakeholder in the road transport sector to align with Marwa’s mission.

“NARTO is acutely aware of the burden we carry. Our truck and passenger vehicles traverse every region of the country, serving as the arteries of commerce and connectivity.

“However, we also recognise that these same routes are occasionally exploited by criminal elements to traffic illicit substances.

“We at NARTO are committed to reversing that narrative. We believe that collaboration between our association and the NDLEA is both necessary and urgent, and we are ready to play our part,” he said.

To achieve the success of the collaboration, Othman proposed sensitisation and training of NARTO drivers and transport operators to identify and report suspicious cargo or behaviour.

He also recommended the establishment of joint intelligence-sharing mechanisms to monitor drug trafficking routes and tactics.

“The deployment of NDLEA liaison officers at major NARTO parks and depots across the federation.

“Another thing is public awareness campaigns, using our national footprint to educate drivers and passengers on the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse,” he said.

Mr Othman reaffirmed NARTO’s unwavering stand on the drug scourge, saying, “Our highways must not be used to harm our nation.”

In his response, the NDLEA chairman, Buba Marwa, assured them of the NDLEA’s preparedness to work with NARTO.
“We are more than ready to collaborate with you at your parks and depots,” Mr Marwa said.

He urged road transport owners to always conduct background checks on drivers they give their vehicles to, to ensure they are not linked to any drug trafficking syndicate or hooked on illicit substances.

(NAN)