‘Maximum loss for drug cartels’ — NDLEA, customs sign MoU on intelligence sharing

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for information and intelligence sharing. 

Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, and Hameed Ali, comptroller general, NCS, signed the MoU on Tuesday in Abuja.

Speaking at the signing, Marwa said the move was a benchmark for information and intelligence sharing.

He said the document contained innovations that would encourage interpersonal relationships at various levels of command and administration of the two organisations.

The NDLEA chairman added that the document provided for joint training of personnel and provisions for regular meetings of command officers at various levels of command structures.

“I assure you that they would certainly lose big as we come for them to put them where they rightly belong and cripple their crime syndicates,” he said.

“There is no doubt about the benefits that this MoU will provide to our two services and the nation at large.

“It is my hope that its successful execution and implementation will provide the necessary impetus for an extension to other sister law enforcement agencies operating at our airports, seaports, and land borders.

“The ultimate objective is to dissolve suspicion, friction, and general inter-agency rivalry that does not do our nation any good in terms of effectively securing the entry and exit points of our dear country.

“This will provide an effective defence line at our various ports of entry/exit to prevent the influx of offensive materials and substances that undermine our national security.

“It will also ensure that our national assets are not smuggled out to undermine our economic progress and stability.”

On his part, Ali commended the NDLEA chairman for initiating the MoU, saying it would help to “send a very strong signal” in the fight against crime.

“We believe that coming together shows commitment to saving this nation from drugs and other substances,” he said.

“I want to believe that the collaboration will make an impact in reducing to the barest minimum the drug menace. NDLEA and the Customs must also invest in technology to fight the drug menace.

“Both of us must ensure we deploy technology as we go into this commitment, to fighting the drug menace.

“It is the key to success, as methods of concealment are numerous, with other illicit drugs put in pockets, shoes, and edible foods.”