Drug war: Gambia’s president calls for synergy among ECOWAS countries

Nigeria and the Gambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to check the excesses of inter-border narcotic traffickers and abusers.

The MoU borders on cooperation in combating illicit production, manufacture, and trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors.

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The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), who was in the Gambia to sign the MoU with the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of the Gambia, DLEAG, was also received at the State House in Banjul by President Adama Barrow on Thursday.

President Barrow, in a statement by NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi, called for more collaboration among anti-drug law enforcement agencies in Africa and the world at large, adding that it would also strengthen and integrate ECOWAS member states especially in the area of war against drug trafficking and abuse.

According to him, “Drug cartels work as a network and are linked; as such, institutions fighting them must also partner and work together.

“Nigeria has been helpful and supportive of the Gambia in various forms and we are grateful. The signing of this MoU between NDLEA and DLEAG is a clear indication that Nigeria is more than willing to partner with us.

“His coming to Gambia is an indication of Marwa’s personal commitment to the war against drugs and I believe the agreement will benefit both countries because drug use is a national threat and big security issue, and without security, no nation can progress.”

In his remarks, Gen. Marwa said the governments in the West African sub-region are facing enemies of the worst grade and needed all the support and partnerships at the national, regional and international levels.