The European Commission is seeking to dismantle the drug cartels that use West Africa as a courier channel to funnel illicit drugs to Europe.
According to Mitchell Ofoyeju, spokesman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), a team of experts from the European Commission (EC) held close-door meeting with the CEO of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, in Lagos and are seeking for the dismantling of drug trafficking syndicates operating in the sub-region.
The Commission therefore urged leaders in the region to increase funding for drug control stressing that funding is a reflection of political will to stop drug barons.
The EC team which carried out an assessment tour of drug control formations in Nigeria also demanded control and monitoring of scanning machines at the seaports by anti-narcotic agents.
The team noted that though the country’s counter narcotic efforts are yielding positive results in terms of arrests and seizures, much still needed to be done in the area of funding and capacity building on long term and conspiracy investigation.
The head of the delegation, Mr. Serge Rinkel, expressed the willingness of the EC to assist the country in specific areas of need to advance drug control programmes.
The meeting which was attended by NDLEA directors, representatives of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (USDEA), German police and Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) of Britain, also canvassed for maritime anti-drug surveillance by NDLEA.
“We are impressed with the counter narcotic efforts of Nigeria. NDLEA remains the best anti-drug agency in the region. Our mandate is to discuss vital operational needs that will further empower the agency. Drug trafficking, money laundering, violence and terrorist financing deserve strict attention. Our desire is to see the dismantling of drug trafficking syndicates in the sub-region”, Serge said.
He noted that funding is very crucial because illicit drug trade is capital intensive and assured that the team’s mission was on the EC priority list and that issues of need shall be attended to speedily.
They also canvassed for a synergy among law enforcement agencies in the country with the maintenance of a common data bank, remarking that this would help in the investigation of criminal cases and also enhance rapid response in the exchange of intelligence.
Responding, Giade thanked the EC team for the visit and pledged the country’s preparedness to collaborate with other stakeholders towards the realisation of a drug free society.
“Nigerian government is conscious of the consequences of drug trafficking and is willing to partner with other countries in the drug war and other forms of organised crime. We shall continue to restructure existing framework in the pursuit of a drug free society. Nigeria will sustain its leading role in global drug control programmes” Giade stated.