THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Norwegian Intelligence Service have started working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on effective drug control.
Chairman of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade said that the decision was reached after a meeting with a delegation of Norwegian Police and Custom officials at the agency’s office in Lagos, on Monday.
According to Giade, “we need to enter into a memorandum of understanding to deepen our collaboration with the Norwegian government. Drug trafficking is a common problem and we need to embrace the principle of shared responsibility in addressing it. The technical details will soon be perfected. This will lead to improvement in arrests, prosecution and assets forfeiture.”
No fewer than 1,585 Nigerians were apprehended in Norway between 2000 and 2012 over drug trafficking as disclosed by a visiting team of Norwegian police and customs officials who are currently on a field visit to the country.
According to the leader of the delegation, Mr Kai Holm, the visit is to enhance collaboration with Nigerian authorities in counter narcotic smuggling, money laundering and human trafficking.
“In 2012, we arrested 432 Nigerians in Norway and deported 95 over drug trafficking. We need your help in dealing with the problem of West African criminal networks in Norway. Most Nigerians arrested over drug trafficking are based in Europe. They engage in drug smuggling and launder the money back home” Kai stated.
The NDLEA boss, who condemned the involvement of Nigerians in criminal activities abroad promised to take necessary steps in boosting the image of the country. The steps include effective collaboration in counter narcotics, financial and assets investigation and anti-drug education.
The delegation will spend some days in Nigeria while the details of the memorandum are being worked out.