The countries are to deepen ties to ensure syndicates operating in Nigeria and South Africa are apprehended and brought to book.
A statement by the spokesperson for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Femi Babafemi on Tuesday, said the nation’s anti-narcotic agency was in talks with its counterpart in South Africa, the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation popularly known as HAWKS, to bring the efforts to fruition.
The statement read, “As part of efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking between Nigeria and South Africa, senior officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have held a two-day meeting with their South African counterparts in the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation popularly known as HAWKS to forge stronger operational ties that will herald tough times for drug syndicates operating between the two countries.”
He said the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) who was represented by the agency’s Secretary, Mr. Shadrach Haruna, said the meeting will bridge the gap and rekindle our efforts to tackle the global drug problem.
He said the two agencies will come up with a Memorandum of Understanding after the meeting.
“Among other expected outcomes of this visit is the need to have a collaborative Memorandum of Understanding to combat drug trafficking and related crimes between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency of Nigeria and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, HAWKS, of South Africa.
“This will provide a framework for enhanced information exchange, and Joint Operations/Joint Airport Interdiction; all promising dividends that will benefit our two organizations and countries greatly, ” the statement added.
While emphasising the increasing sophistication of drug trafficking cartels, particularly the proliferation of methamphetamine laboratories and the emergence of fentanyl production facilities, Marwa said these demands swift action through the seamless exchange of intelligence and technical expertise.
He said, “This will not only help to halt the spread of illicit production of these deadly illicit drugs but also prevent locally produced ones from being smuggled between both countries. The need for collaboration became urgent given the volume of trade and social interactions between the two countries leading to a corresponding trade in illicit drugs.
“Another expected outcome of this visit is the expectation of an agreed mechanism that would lead to the dislodgement and disruption of major drug trafficking syndicates operating between the two jurisdictions.”
Speaking, the leader of the South African delegation, Lt. Gen. Senaba Mosipi stressed that the collaboration between the two countries was necessary because criminals operating in the drug trade recognise no borders or geographical boundaries.
He said, to effectively combat their criminality, proactive measures within the arm of the law are imperative.
“We can work together no matter the distance between our countries. The operational collaboration between NDLEA and HAWKS is important to combat the operations of criminal syndicates in our two countries”, he stated.
