The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) has pledged to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse across the country.
NARTO National President, Yusuf Othman, made this known on Thursday during a courtesy visit to NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
A statement signed by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, quoted Othman as stressing the need for sensitisation and training of transport workers to identify and report drug trafficking activities.
He noted that while NARTO vehicles facilitate commerce nationwide, they are sometimes exploited by criminal elements to convey illicit substances.
“Our trucks and passenger vehicles traverse every region of the country. We recognise, however, that these same routes are sometimes used by drug traffickers,” Othman said.
He proposed several collaborative measures, including joint intelligence-sharing, sensitisation campaigns, training of drivers, and the deployment of NDLEA liaison officers at major parks and depots.
In response, Marwa welcomed the initiative and assured the association of the NDLEA’s readiness to partner with them. He also urged transport owners to conduct proper background checks on their drivers to prevent their vehicles from being used for drug trafficking.
Marwa warned that failure to do so could lead to avoidable accidents or the forfeiture of vehicles linked to drug-related crimes.
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