The Government of Thailand has praised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its robust efforts in combating substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
The Charge d’affaires and Deputy Head of Mission of the Royal Thai Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Kriwat Pharmorabuta, who gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Retd), said, the move has significantly enhanced the country’s image internationally.
Highlighting the impact of the NDLEA’s leadership under Marwa over the past three years, the Thai envoy noted a substantial reduction in the number of Nigerian prisoners in Thai prisons, attributing this success to the agency’s stringent measures.
“Previously, there were around 800 Nigerian prisoners in Thailand; now, the number has decreased to less than 200. This demonstrates the difficulty in smuggling drugs out of Nigeria. I commend you and the Nigerian people. As a diplomat in Nigeria, I am delighted by this positive development”.
He also emphasized the importance of the ongoing collaboration between the Thai embassy and the NDLEA regarding visa clearance.
“The certificate from NDLEA is a crucial document. If a Nigerian holds the correct NDLEA certificate, there is a 90-95% assurance they will receive a visa to enter Thailand. I am pleased with the strong coordination between our delegations”.
According to the envoy, the Thai government prioritizes NDLEA’s visa clearance certificates when issuing visas to Nigerians and expressed his commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Thailand, particularly through support for NDLEA’s training and scholarship programs for its personnel.
In response, Brigadier General Marwa expressed satisfaction with the partnership on visa clearance and welcomed the Thai government’s offer of training and scholarships.
“We are very interested in the training and scholarships you’ve offered. We have recently established an Alternative Development Unit to encourage drug traffickers, particularly cannabis growers, to switch to cultivating crops like rice, sugarcane, and cocoa. Thailand’s experience in alternative development is invaluable to us”.