The leaders of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) have vowed to work with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to curb the use of truck and passenger vehicles to traffic illicit drugs.
This move is part of the ongoing offensive action against substance abuse and trafficking across Nigeria.
The National President of NARTO, Yusuf Lawal Othman, made the pledge on Thursday when he led other transport union leaders on a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja.
Commending Marwa’s courage, vision, and patriotism in the leadership of the Agency, Othman 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 recognise 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.”
To achieve the success of the collaboration, Othman proposed “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.
According to him, “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 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.