The Nigerian government and its Pakistani counterpart have agreed to work together to end illicit drug flow between both countries.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, said the agency held talks with its Pakistani counterparts, Division of Controlled Drugs Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and Controlled Substances Section, Ministry of Narcotics Control on ending channels of drug flow.
The talk focused on how to explore ways of collaboration to restrict channels of trafficking illicit substances between Nigeria and Pakistan.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Saturday, said the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), approved a delegation for the meeting in Vienna.
The Nigeria team comprised Joseph Sunday Nbona, Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, Gadzama Samuel Bashir, Director, Operations and General Investigation; Abdulrahman Adebowale.
The meeting was held in Vienna, Austria, on February 27.
The strategic management meeting, brought the two countries together to discuss their responsibilities and was held under the supervision of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).
The agenda of the meeting focused on improved communication and exchange of real time intelligence, using the INCB communication tools, Ion Incident Communication System, IONICS between NDLEA and the Pakistani anti-narcotics agencies.
“At the end of the talks, the two delegations adopted important resolutions on how to improve their cooperation and tackle the menace of illicit drug trafficking between both countries especially pharmaceutical opioids like Tramadol.
“The Pakistani delegation was composed of Mr. Ahmad Din, Director, Division of Controlled Drugs, DRAP; Mr. Arif Muhammad, Additional Director, Division of Controlled Drugs, DRAP; Mr. Ammar Ali, Director (Anti-Narcotics Force), Regional Directorate, North, ANF; and Mr. Syed Saadat Ali Bokhari, Section Officer, Controlled Substances Section, Ministry of Narcotics Control.
“They expressed commitment to improving operational communication with the NDLEA through existing networks between both countries and by using more frequently the possibilities offered by IONICS, the INCB’s tool of real time communication.” The statement reads.
