The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of Nigeria have decided to work together to stop the flow of illegal drugs between both countries.

According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the two agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday in Abuja.

NDLEA’s chairman and CEO, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (retd), who signed the MoU on behalf of the NDLEA, said the agreement represented a strong partnership in the effort to eliminate drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the two countries.

“This bold step taken by the two agencies is an affirmation of our foresight and commitment to the task of ensuring the safety of our citizens and the global community at large,” Marwa stated.

The NDLEA boss avowed that the MOU is a critical step in positioning India and Nigeria at the forefront of confronting and dismantling transnational drug trafficking networks with “brazen capabilities of out-manoeuvring legitimate drug law enforcement.”

According to Marwa, the governments of both countries remained committed to eradicating the problem posed by illicit substances, particularly synthetic opioids and amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), which posed a significant threat to our citizens.

He also emphasized that the collaboration would have a significant impact on efforts to prevent illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, precursor chemicals, and related matters between the two countries.

Ambassador Shri Balasubramanian, the Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria and head of the Indian delegation signed on behalf of his country.

He noted that drugs have a massive negative impact on global financial and political systems and that proceeds from drug trafficking are frequently used to fund terrorism.

Balasubramanian further averred that drug trafficking affected not only the health of the individual that consumed it but also the economy of the country as well as national security.

While noting that both countries’ liberal trade relations and educational advantages had been used to further the criminal drug trade, he advised both countries to use their similar demographic advantages to address substance abuse issues.