By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Cross River State Police Command has pledged to strengthen its collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to tackle illicit drug trafficking and other crimes linked to drug abuse across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, made the commitment in Calabar when he received the NDLEA Cross River State Commander, CN Anteyi John, and his team.
Ordue said a coordinated approach was necessary to effectively address the challenges posed by illicit drugs, noting that the strategy should combine intelligence-led operations, prevention, public enlightenment, community engagement and enforcement.
He reaffirmed the command’s readiness to support the NDLEA in disrupting criminal networks involved in drug trafficking and protecting vulnerable members of the public from the effects of illicit drug abuse.
The Commissioner also stressed the need for sustained inter-agency cooperation in tackling drug-related offences, cultism, trafficking and other criminal activities.
Ordue said the Police Command would continue to deepen partnerships with relevant security and law enforcement agencies to protect lives and property and maintain public safety across the state.
He urged residents to support law enforcement agencies by providing timely and credible information, stressing that security was a collective responsibility.
Earlier, the NDLEA State Commander, CN Anteyi John, who welcomed Ordue and his team, expressed satisfaction with the partnership between both agencies.
The engagement was aimed at strengthening joint efforts to address illicit drug activities and associated criminality in Cross River State.
