National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has said that it was in close talk with the Italian government on operational collaboration towards effective anti-money laundering, global drugs and crime control.

The anti-drug agency said the planned collaboration was geared towards tightening the noose on illicit drug syndicates as well as drug barons operating in the country and within the West Africa sub-region.

Chief Prosecutor of the Italian Anti-Mafia Bureau, Dr. Pedro Grasso, who was in the country for the purpose, led discussions along with the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Roberto Colamine, as well as the Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Nicola Bazzani.

NDLEA Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade was represented at the meeting by the agency's Director of Administration and Finance, Dr. Daniel S. Ismaila.

The high powered security discussion was coordinated by Dr. Grasso and the important operational areas being considered include a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on legal cooperation, operational exchange programs, exchange of intelligence and joint operations.

Italian Embassy's support

The Italian Embassy, which expressed confidence on behalf of the government on the first round of discussions, noted that there are interesting possibilities of very strong mutually beneficial partnership by both countries in the fight against organised crime.

"On our part, we will continue to follow up the matter closely and to remain at the disposal of the two sides for any further assistance that might be needed," it said.

NDLEA boss speaks

Pledging the agency's support for the planned collaboration, Ahmadu Giade described the planned collaboration as another milestone in the history of Nigeria's commitment and unflinching support for global drugs and crime control.

Giade said: "This is one of the strategies of breaking international barriers in the fight against drug cartels. It is another historic landmark that will help to trap major drug traffickers in the dragnet of the agency."

He pledged the agency's unflinching support to the success of the proposed agreement.