The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kaduna State Command, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) have strengthened their collaboration on human rights protection and the fight against illicit drugs in the state.
The development followed a courtesy visit by the Head of Investigation of the NHRC Kaduna State Office, Malama Murjannatu Abdullahi, who led a delegation to the NDLEA State Commander, CN Maijama’a Muhammad, at the Command Headquarters in Kaduna on Wednesday.
Abdullahi, who represented the NHRC State Coordinator, Terngu Gwar, said the visit was aimed at deepening the existing relationship between both agencies and identifying areas of cooperation in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities.
She said stronger collaboration with law enforcement agencies was essential to promoting and protecting human rights.
Responding, the NDLEA State Commander reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to respecting the fundamental rights of individuals during its operations, particularly in the arrest, investigation and detention of suspects.
Muhammad assured the NHRC delegation that the Command would continue to maintain a productive relationship with the Commission and collaborate on issues of mutual interest.
He also outlined the NDLEA’s core responsibilities, including supply reduction, drug demand reduction, rehabilitation and brief intervention, stressing the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The Commander further highlighted the role of drug test kits as a preventive tool for promoting drug-free institutions, workplaces and communities.
The meeting featured an interactive session where officials of both agencies discussed human rights in law enforcement operations, intelligence sharing, public sensitisation and other strategies to improve service delivery.
Both organisations subsequently reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their partnership in the interest of justice, human rights protection and a drug-free Kaduna State.