The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Drug Enforcement Authority (NDEA) of the United Arab Emirates. This agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between the two agencies in the fight against drug trafficking. The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the agreement as a significant milestone in the fight against drug trafficking. He noted that the MoU would deepen intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement action between the two agencies. Marwa disclosed that between 2021 and 2026, NDLEA intercepted 354.7kg of illicit drugs, including cocaine, cannabis, and tramadol, concealed in consignments bound for the UAE.
The NDLEA boss highlighted the agency's nationwide record between January 2021 and July 2026. During this period, NDLEA arrested over 91,000 suspects, seized more than 15.5 million kilograms of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals, and secured 16,469 convictions. Additionally, the agency counseled, treated, and rehabilitated over 53,000 drug users. Marwa also mentioned that NDLEA's War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign had reached nearly 5.9 million Nigerians.
The new partnership with NDEA would build on existing cooperation between the two agencies. This cooperation includes the exchange of liaison personnel, sharing of operational information, and technical cooperation. The UAE has also agreed to provide Nigerian travelers with a comprehensive list of prohibited items to prevent inadvertent violations. This move is expected to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking.
The Chairman of NDEA, His Excellency Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to working closely with Nigeria to disrupt trafficking networks. He described the MoU as a natural evolution of an already productive relationship between the two agencies. Al Nahyan emphasized the importance of cooperation in disrupting trafficking networks that exploit strong trade, travel, and people-to-people ties between the UAE and Nigeria.
Both agencies expressed confidence that the agreement would lead to stronger intelligence-sharing, more successful joint operations, and the dismantling of trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-UAE axis. This cooperation is in line with the shared global responsibility championed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The agreement is expected to yield positive results in the fight against drug trafficking.
The signing of the MoU marks a significant step in the fight against drug trafficking between Nigeria and the UAE. The two agencies have demonstrated their commitment to working together to combat this menace. With the agreement in place, both countries can expect more effective cooperation in disrupting trafficking networks and reducing the flow of illicit drugs.
Key points
- NDLEA and NDEA sign MoU to enhance cooperation in combating drug trafficking.
- The agreement aims to deepen intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement action between the two agencies.
- The MoU is expected to lead to the dismantling of trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-UAE axis.
