By
The
Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdullah rtd has pledged Nigeria’s continued partnership
with the United States in the fight against illicit drugs. The NDLEA boss gave
the assurance during a working visit to the Agency’s headquarters by top
officials of the United States Government led by James Allen, Regional
Director, US Drug Enforcement Administration and Alexander Arvizu, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement
Affairs (INL).
The purpose
of the visit is to welcome the new NDLEA boss, congratulate him on his
appointment and also seek his cooperation in the war on narcotic drugs.
According to James Allen, “I wish to congratulate you on your appointment as
the NDLEA Chairman. We had a good working relationship with your predecessor
and I wish to seek your cooperation in counter narcotics programme. Nigeria is
very strategic in the fight against drugs in Africa and we need to sustain our
partnership”.
Abdallah
assures the delegation of continued partnership with the United States
Government. In his words, “let me assure you that nothing has changed in
Nigeria and United States partnership in drug control. Apart from sustaining
our existing fruitful and cordial relationship with the United States, I am
willing to enhance our collaboration to the next level. Mr. President is deeply
committed to the war on drug trafficking organizations and I will go beyond
where my predecessor stopped in reducing drug production, trafficking and
abuse”.
The NDLEA
boss added that he will lead regional efforts at eradicating illicit drugs.
“Effective drug control demands collaboration with international partners. If
we must win this fight, we must look beyond securing our respective countries
and form alliances. I will lead regional cooperation and work with other
governments in the region. Every opportunity to move ahead of drug cartels must
be exploited as we strengthen our regional control strategies” Abdallah stated.
He thanked
the American government for their assistance in capacity building, logistic
support and exchange of intelligence among others. The Chairman was
particularly thankful for the intelligence Data Centre that was established
with the support of the United States government. In his words, “it is worthy
of mention that the NDLEA can boast of a centralized Intelligence Data Centre
which is a shift from analogue to digital intelligence processing system. This
has made record keeping and retrieval secured, cost effective and repositioned
for intelligence-led drug control”.
In his response, Alexander commended Abdullah
for his commitment and looks forward for a better cooperation. “I am pleased
with your strong words of commitment to our partnership. You have come out so
strongly and in unequivocal way on the sustainability of our partnership and I
will communicate your position to our home office and partners” Alexander
stated.
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