The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States, have stressed the need to strengthen current collaboration between the two agencies on the fight against the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

This was the highpoint of discussion during a meeting between NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa and the Country Attache of the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States, Daphne Morrison in Abuja.

Morrison who was posted to Nigeria thanked Marwa for the cordial working relationship and partnership between both agencies.

She said efforts are ongoing to organise more trainings for officers and men of the Special Operations Units of the Agency while looking forward to a number of joint operations with NDLEA in already identified areas of interests.

In his response, the NDLEA boss acknowledged the excellent relationships with Morrison’s predecessors, saying they had been very, very supportive, and he had absolutely no doubt in his mind that it will be the same, if not better, with Morrison.

He noted the recent evolution of NDLEA in the size of its workforce, expansion of operational and administrative structures and remarkable successes recorded in its drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

Marwa acknowledged the support received from United States Agency over the years especially in areas of equipment, training, and joint operations.

The NDLEA Chief who expressed hope that more of such support will continue, said he think they would welcome much more support but because this being your first visit to introduce yourself, I’m not going to bring out a long list of demands or requests, but just to acknowledge that we appreciate all the support we’ve been receiving.”