The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have set up teams on both sides to strengthen collaboration for the fight against human and drug trafficking.
The move was discussed on Friday when Binta Bello, NAPTIP director-general, led her management team on a courtesy visit to Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
During the meeting, Marwa highlighted the connection between human trafficking and drug-related crimes, noting that trafficked individuals are often exploited as mules for transporting illicit substances.
“So, this is an area that we should collaborate further by signing an MoU that will actually bring about definite and unambiguous areas of collaboration,” he said.
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Marwa assured her of NDLEA’s preparedness to collaborate with NAPTIP, and named a three-member liaison team that will work with the team from NAPTIP on agreed areas of partnership.
Speaking earlier, the NAPTIP boss emphasised the importance of deepened partnership between the two agencies to disrupt criminal networks involved in human and drug trafficking as well as substance abuse.
“Drug trafficking and human trafficking are increasingly connected, both globally and locally. Women and children are used as drug couriers. Victims are also drugged and subjected to substance abuse as a method of control when they are trafficked,” she said.
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“Furthermore, both crimes thrive on similar enablers, that is, porous borders, corruption, poverty, weak institutions, and digital space. Intelligence reports have shown overlaps in networks operating in both spheres, hence the urgent need for a coordinated response. We believe that there is immense potential for deepened collaboration between NAPTIP and NDLEA.
“Some actionable areas could include joint investigation and intelligence sharing, capacity building and cross-training, victim-centered approach, technology and data integration, public enlightenment and preventive advocacy, and legal reforms.
“And this could be achieved, by our proposal of the next steps to be taken, that is, setting up of a liaison team to develop NAPTIP-NDLEA strategic action plan for the short to medium term activities, schedule bilateral meetings to review our operation partnership at least once or twice a year, and explore opportunities for international collaboration, which we are all aware that the two agencies are closely partnering with various international organizations.”
The NAPTIP director-general said her agency is fully committed to partnership, professionalism, and patriotic service.
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“We believe that together we will not only disrupt criminal networks, but also protect and empower vulnerable Nigerians who are often the ultimate victims of these crimes,” she added.
