NDLEA, NARTO Collaborate On War Against Drug Trafficking
By Bukar BOLORI
Leaders of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) on Thursday pledged to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to fight the scourge of drug trafficking in the country by ensuring that their members’ truck and passenger vehicles are no longer available for conveyance of illicit drugs across the country.
The commitment was made when the National President of NARTO, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman led other leaders of the transport union on a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) at the agency National Headquarters in Abuja.
Othman, while commending the NDLEA’s helmsman courage, vision, and patriotism in the leadership of the agency, said “this visit today is not just ceremonial; it is purposeful and timely. It reflects our deep appreciation of NDLEA’s efforts and our readiness as a key stakeholder in the road transport sector to align with your mission.
“NARTO is acutely aware of the burden we carry. Our truck and passenger vehicles traverse every region of the country, serving as the arteries of commerce and connectivity. However, we also recognize that these same routes are occasionally exploited by criminal elements to traffic illicit substances. We at NARTO are committed to reversing that narrative. We believe that collaboration between our association and the NDLEA is both necessary and urgent, and we are ready to play our part.”
Othman said to achieve the success of the collaboration, there is need for “sensitization and training of NARTO drivers and transport operators on identifying and reporting suspicious cargo or behavior; establishment of joint intelligence-sharing mechanisms to monitor drug trafficking routes and tactics; deployment of NDLEA liaison officers at major NARTO parks and depots across the federation, and public awareness campaigns, using our national footprint to educate drivers and passengers on the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse.”
While reaffirming NARTO’s unwavering stand on the drug scourge, he said “our highways must not be used to harm our nation. We want to see a transport industry that supports security, safety, and the health of our communities.”
In his response, Marwa assured them of the preparedness of NDLEA to work with NARTO.
He said: “I have had good relationship with NARTO since my days in Lagos and I’m glad you’re concerned about the drug problem in Nigeria. We are more than ready to collaborate with at your parks and depots”.
He, however, urged road transport owners to always conduct background checks on drivers they give their vehicles to ensure they are not linked to any drug trafficking syndicate or hooked on illicit substances.
This he said will save the transport vehicle owners the risk of losing their vehicles in avoidable crashes or to the government in case they’re caught being used as instruments of illicit drug trafficking.
