Pubdate: Fri, 15 Apr 2005
Source: This Day (Nigeria)
Copyright: 2005 This Day.
Contact:  http://www.thisdayonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2870
Author: Godwin Haruna, Lagos

BRITISH ENVOY LAUDS NDLEA		

The British High Comm-issioner to Nigeria, Mr Richard Gozney, has described 
the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as a major positive force 
in the international counter-narcotics efforts.

Gozney, who paid a working visit to the Agency's headquarters, said he was 
touched by the full range of leadership under Alhaji Bello Lafiaji, whose 
contribution has taken international collaboration to a level hitherto 
unimaginable.

Presenting the equipment, which included 10 computer units and accessories, 
Gozney said "unless all countries build up the habit of cooperation and 
sharing sensitive information, no country could succeed on its own in 
taming trans-national crime," he said.

He said "drug criminals are very flexible and intelligent people, who are 
not only good in thinking sideways but move across international boundaries 
like people move across the streets."

This, he said, has left countries with no choice than to get more united, 
in the quest to win the drug war.

Lafiaji commended the United Kingdom for its commitment to the success of 
the drug war in Nigeria, adding that Britain is one of the Agency's "most 
valued collaborators in the war against drug trafficking and abuse, through 
the instrumentality of Her Majesty's Custom."

Lafiaji, who cited several control delivery successes between Nigeria and 
Britain, was particularly thrilled that the anti-drug cooperation between 
the two countries has not been in vain, adding, "the agency has intercepted 
more drugs and traffickers destined for the United Kingdom than to any 
other part of the world."

He expressed gratitude to the envoy for the equipment donated, and assured 
that it would spur the Agency to higher performance.
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