United States Government has certified Nigeria a drug free country, in the campaign against illicit drug trafficking and abuse for the US fiscal year 2009.

This is the eighth consecutive times that the country is receiving a clean bill of health by the US government in the anti-narcotic crusade.

In a statement issued by the Agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr Ofuyeju Mitchell, President George Bush commended the country over what he described as effective cooperation and advancement in the battle against drug trafficking.

He quoted Bush as saying that the American Government was fully in support of the recent cooperation of NDLEA, in the regional search and seizure operations, adding that Nigeria is one of the 20 countries classified as a major production/transit country for illicit drugs destined for the United States, and has continuously made significant progress in counter-narcotics.

Bush said Nigeria has cooperated effectively with the United States on drug-related money-laundering cases. “We are encouraged that Nigeria’s use of U.S. donated body scanners at its four major international airports has resulted in the arrest of numerous traffickers.”

Mitchell said NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, while reacting to the report, thanked all stakeholders for their support and cooperation.

“This candid assessment by the U.S. is a true reflection of the sincerity and commitment of all stakeholders in this worthy partnership against illicit drugs. This acclamation of our efforts is like a catalyst that will further spur us to greater heights as no drug baron will be spared, no matter the odds,” he said.

Giade, while expressing appreciation to Nigerians and foreign collaborators for their contribution, vowed to intensify the war against illicit drugs.

Mitchell said Bush explained that in line with Section 481 (e) (2) and (5) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA), “a country’s presence on the majors list is not necessarily an adverse reflection of its government’s counter-narcotics efforts or level of cooperation with the United States; rather, it is due to the combination of geographic, commercial and economic factors that allow drugs to transit or be produced, despite the concerned government’s most assiduous enforcement measures.

According to him, Nigeria has been classified under the Majors List along with Afghanistan, the Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala and Haiti Others are India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela.

Out of the 20 countries, Bush identified Bolivia, Burma and Venezuela, as nations that “failed demonstrably” in the last 12 months, to make sufficient or meaningful efforts to adhere to the obligations they have undertaken under international counter narcotics agreements.

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