From Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto
Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.), has called for more synergy among members of West African countries to further curb drug trafficking and other organised crimes.
Abdallah made this known at a five-day joint training and operations along Nigeria and Niger Republic borders of Illela-Konni and Rafin-duma.
The programme was organised in Sokoto by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in conjunction with INTERPOL.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the NDLEA boss assured that his agency would not spare any efforts in ensuring that the West African sub-region is protected against the scourge of illicit drug trafficking.
He noted that there is an existing robust protocol between Nigeria and Niger Republic, aimed at ridding the region of illicit drugs, organised crimes and falsified medicines.
He also disclosed that the agency is currently working out modalities to engage member states of the sub-region in bilateral agreements and signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which, according to him, would strengthen cooperation, enhance intelligence sharing and mitigate constraints.