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Group photograph of NAGAFF Officials & their Visitors from NDLEA at NAGAFF Headquarters.
In order to wage war against the influx of illicit drugs into the country through the seaports, the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) and National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF) have agreed to join force in fighting against illicit drugs.
Both organizations announced this when they met at the National Headquarters of NAGAFF when NDLEA Apapa Area Commander, Ameh Inalehwu and his entourage paid a Courtesy visit to NAGAFF in Apapa- Lagos.
Inalehwu who raised concerns over way and manner drugs seized, were trying to find its way outside the country through Nigerian Airports by drug peddlers, said some of the drugs were not produced in Nigeria.
R>L. COS to Chief Ezisi, Revd. Emma Agubanze, Fwdr. Ignatius Nwachukwu, Chaisn Ethics & Discipline, UJU Ebubedike, National Treasurer (standing) & other national officers NAGAFF.
He posited that NAGAFF remain a major stakeholder in the efforts of the Nigerian Government tackling the drug challenge and appealed to them not to see the drug challenge as strictly NDLEA affair hence the Agency cannot tackle the menace alone
Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, President NAGAFF(middle); Left NDLEA Commander, Ameh; right beside president, DNP, NAGAFF, Fwdr. Simeon Nwonu.
NDLEA Apapa Commander however explained that they were in NAGAFF to strengthen the existing relationship and synergy so that they can Partner with them on sharing intelligence especially as it concerns suspicious importation., and urged them to join force with the Agency to save this country of drug challenge and to have peace in their business.
Standing NDLEA Apapa boss, President NAGAFF, DNP.
He used the forum to announced that every June 26 annually, is set aside as International day for campaign against Drug trafficking and as a major stakeholder especially, the Founder of the Association, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam who is an Ambassador of NDLEA, he added, “this year, we want NAGAFF to be in front so that NDLEA can follow. Ours is to give you technical Assistance.
“NAGAFF has a role to play if we must rid this nation of influx of illicit drugs. Our duty is to ensure that we Police effectively the waterways and such cannot be done without the cooperation of your members. Government is very worried about the developments as it is now. Intake of drugs is one of the factors that instigates the crime prevalence in our communities”, he stated.
On how he intends to tackle the influx of these illicit drugs coming from the seaports, Ameh said, ‘part of it is the engagement we are doing. We had a session with the terminal operators, , today we are in NAGAFF, we have also been to ANLCA. We are reaching out to shipping lines. Let it not be seen as NDLEA problem, rather as a national problem, so each person has a role to play. That’s why we are here and subsequently we will make some progress on the achievements we have had so far.
On arrests the Agency has made so far, The NDLEA boss in Apapa said, “In the last Six months, we had two vessels that brought in drug using the bulk cargo vessel to conceal in sugar. Well over 20 expertise and close to about 10 Nigerians are standing trial over that arrest. The last arrest was somebody who was trying to take advantage of our corridor to ship cocaine.
“We have had our examinations and ours are too technical and we bring in ‘[Paw'[ dogs where the human individual may be deficient, the dogs helps to reveal if there are concealment”, he opined.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the National President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders(NAGAFF), Chief Tochukwu Ezisi said the synergy existing between the Association and NDLEA over the years has been cordial and is visibly seen with the visit of any new Officer in-charge of Narcotics posted in Apapa to NAGAFF Village.
“I want you to know that the Founder of NAGAFF is an Ambassador of NDLEA. That will tell you the relationship between NAGAFF and NDLEA which didn’t just start today. It has has been long and will try and nurture it and keep the relationship going.
cross section of NAGAFF officers at the occasion.
Chief Ezisi who assured Mr Ameh of the support of the association during his tenure in Apapa, pledged to make his job seamless as it relates to freight forwarding business and NAGAFF members in particular.
He pointed out that over the years, no NAGAFF member have been found wanting in area concerning Drug related offences and would never be involved.
Adding his voice, the Deputy National President of NAGAFF, Headquarters, Fwdr. Simeon Nwaonu remarked that the situation in Nigeria is becoming more and more challenging especially with the issue of drugs, stressing that some of the criminal activities such as murder, rape, kidnapping cannot not be executed without the influence of drug.
“So, you people are fighting a great war. We know the inherent risk to what you are doing. God must protect all of you. For we in NAGAFF, we have always laid emphasis on Education because it is only when one is totally informed that he can behave very well. But if not, such one can easily be misled. To the glory of God, we keep educating our members in telling them of the negative impact of drugs’, he added.
Decoration of the President of NAGAFF as NDLEA Ambassadorl
Highpoints of the ocassion was the decoration of some members of NAGAFF as Ambassadors of NDLEA including the National President, Chief Tochkwu Ezisi, while the August visitors were also decorated as Ambassadors of NAGAFF including the NDLEA Apapa area Commander, Ameh Inalehwu
Photo:. L>R NDLEA Commander, Apapa Ameh Inalehwu and National President of NAGAFF, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi
