The French government says it will collaborate with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on language training.
It says it will also provide logistics and equipment in fighting against illicit drug abuse and trafficking in the country.
The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jérôme Pasquier, said this during a courtesy visit to the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig.-Brig Buba Marwa on Thursday in Abuja.
Pasquier congratulated Marwa on his appointment as the new NDLEA chairman, assuring him that the agency would get the necessary support.
He said that the French government would help in the eradication of illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria, adding that the fight against drug abuse was a collective effort.
“We will provide the necessary support to assist in eradicating illicit drugs such as cocaine, harsish and heroine, among others.
“We will also help in training the staff on language as we believe Nigeria is surrounded by French speaking people and this training will ease communication between both parties,” he said.
“We are ready to cooperate as much as possible. We have worked with NDLEA and we believe we can do even more,” he said.
Mr Marwa appreciated the French government for its support for NDLEA, noting that the language training had helped overtime and more would be appreciated.
Mr Marwa noted that the support had tremendously assisted the agency in moving forward, noting that the agency would move faster with more help.
“We will be committed and serious to rid this country from both the importation and exportation of illicit drugs as well as cultivation, manufacturing and processing of the same within the country.
“We have a robust relationship with France over time and we do not take this for granted.
“We will tackle drugs all round and ensure the menace of drugs is reduced to the barest minimum.
“Without this type of collaboration, we cannot get there. The drug war has to be ferocious. The most thing we are short of are technical equipment such as scanners, bullet proof, mobility and training.
“Technical training is very important in carrying out our duties and we hope we will get this as you have promised your support,” he said.
NAN
