Marwa advocates continental collaboration, citing successes in Nigeria
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Effective intelligence sharing and increased cooperation among African nations will enable the continent to tackle drug trafficking and abuse, says National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Chairman Buba Marwa.
He canvassed for such collaboration at the 30th Conference of Heads of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies in Africa (HONLEA) in Kenya.
Marwa told the conference the progress Nigeria has made in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, and urged other countries to establish a national coordination system to ensure coordinated action against the scourge.
“The starting point is the harnessing of all the stakeholders by the national drug focal agency. Through this national coordination and collaborative effort,” he said in a statement.
“The global drug problem has placed higher demands on countries to work round the clock to achieve this goal and consolidate the achievements recorded.
“This noble objective could be realised with the creation of an informal network of HONLEA contact persons to complement and enhance the real-time exchange of intelligence or operational information.
“It will also enhance more robust activities all year round.”
Marwa urged countries to establish groups like HONLEA to strengthen collaboration in regional economic communities as the global drug crisis has placed more obligations on governments to work round-the-clock.
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Advantages of HONLEA platform
“The HONLEA platform offers unlimited opportunities, and it is imperative to maximise these amazing benefits by completing it with a practical form of cooperation such as the suggested HONLEA Informal Network of Contact Persons,” Marwa added.
“This would enable regular bilateral meetings, training programs, exchange of intelligence, and the conduct of joint operations at sub-regional and regional levels if need be.”
He said Nigeria has taken practical steps to deepen collaboration at both national and international levels in countering the drug problem, in line with the principle of common and shared responsibility.
“This was done through bilateral visitations and discussions that culminated in the signing of Memorandums of Understanding with countries and organisations.
“Thus, Nigeria’s statement is anchored on the need to deepen collaboration to fighting a common challenge as the world is taken by storm with the exponential increase in drug trafficking and use.”
In his view, a vibrant HONLEA platform will facilitate speedy dismantling of drug trafficking cartels across Africa.