To improve cooperation in the battle against drug and human trafficking as well as substance misuse, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have established teams.
The team was formed on Friday during a courtesy visit by NAPTIP Director General Binta Bello to NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa at the agency’s Abuja headquarters, according to Naija News.
Speaking during the gathering, Marwa praised Bello for her quick start and complimented her on her well-earned appointment to head a significant organization like NAPTIP.
He asserts that “there is a linkage between drug trafficking and abuse and human trafficking.” Some people who have been trafficked are used as mules; some may be aware of this, while others may not. They may be given narcotics, which are sewn into their bag, and they may be drugged to comply with their requests. Therefore, this is an area where we should work together more by signing an MOU that will truly result in clear and specific areas of cooperation.
She was reassured by Marwa that NDLEA was ready to expand cooperation with NAPTIP. According to him, the three-person liaison team would collaborate with the NAPTIP team on areas of mutual understanding.
In his earlier remarks, the head of NAPTIP stressed the significance of a strengthened collaboration between the two organizations in thwarting criminal networks engaged in drug and human trafficking, as well as substance addiction.
Human and drug trafficking are becoming more intertwined on a local and international level. Drugs are transported by women and children. When victims are trafficked, they are also drugged and abused as a control mechanism.
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.
“I want to affirm that NAPTIP is fully committed to partnership, professionalism, and patriotic service. 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,” Bello stated
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