US embassy cable - 05ABUJA1831

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001831 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2015 
TAGS: KCRM, PGOV, SNAR, NI 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: JOINT CRITIQUE WITH BRITISH ON NDLEA'S 
PERFORMANCE 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador John Campbell for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Summary:  The U.S. and British Ambassadors agreed to 
develop and deliver a joint critique of the poor performance 
at present of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency 
(NDLEA) to the Nigerian Attorney General in an attempt to 
highlight U.S./UK concern regarding Nigeria's massive 
problems with narcotics smuggling and the poor GON 
institutional response.  End Summary. 
 
2.  (C) At the request of the British High Commissioner, 
Ambassador Campbell met with his counterpart and two agents 
from the British equivalent of the Drug Enforcement Agency on 
September 26, with Poloff as note taker.  The British High 
Commissioner discussed growing frustration with the 
performance of Nigeria's lead drug enforcement agency, the 
NDLEA, one that suggests that at least some of its personnel 
may actually be facilitating illicit drug crimes. 
 
3.  (C) The British High Commissioner noted that his country 
has been struggling with the Nigerian drug smuggling problem 
for more than two decades, but is getting worse.  Earlier 
this year, he said, British customs agents were arresting up 
to 20 smugglers a month who were attempting to enter the UK. 
He said that subsequent arrest rates at UK ports have 
diminished slightly, but only because of the aggressive use 
of drug sniffing dogs by British agents. 
 
4.  (C) Both ambassadors agreed that a joint approach to the 
Nigerian Attorney General would be an effective strategy. 
Although the UK does not have a drug certification process 
like the U.S., the unified approach would underscore high 
level UK and U.S. concern and introduce the potential for 
punitive consequences.  The Nigerian AG has indicated a 
willingness to take on politically sensitive issues such as 
this. 
 
5.  (C) Comment  This will be an opportunity to highlight to 
the Attorney General the current short-comings of the NDLEA 
and to remind him of the importance of the U.S. certification 
process.  End Comment. 
CAMPBELL