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A renewed effort has been made to make the existing extradition agreement effective. Four U.S. requests for extradition (none of them drug related) had been pending for inordinate periods of time. One was favorably resolved during this period. The Nigerian Attorney General has taken a personal interest in the remaining cases.
The temporary seizure of a Nigerian Airways plane in New York because an off-duty pilot in uniform was caught carrying a large quantity of heroin received widespread public attention. Nigerian authorities cooperated in resolving the issue, took measures intended to avoid
to avoid repetition, and began discussions regarding a cooperation agreement between U.S. Customs and Nigerian Airways.
to improve.
Nigerian enforcement efforts have continued Several major heroin seizures were made during the period. Although local production is not a major concern, unprecedented arrests of farmers for cultivation of Indian hemp have taken place.
There has been a crackdown
crackdown on enforcement officials found to be involved with trafficking. Several customs and police officers have been arrested and others have been transferred. The government is currently reviewing its existing laws to improve its ability to use asset seizure as an effective tool and to make better use of foreign expert witnesses in drug cases. DEA assistance has been requested in obtaining more complete and timely information on Nigerians arrested in the United States on drug charges.
The Nigeria Airways incident has had a significant impact on general awareness. Even before, trafficking and abuse had been receiving increased attention in the Nigerian media. The Ministry of Health has received substantial funding for a public awareness program and is working with USIS to adapt U.S. publications to
to the Nigerian environment. President Babangida again spoke out publicly on the narcotics issue in his national youth day speech May 29.