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 (UAE) to enhance cooperation in combating drug trafficking. The agreement was signed on September 26, 2026, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on the sidelines of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. This partnership aims to strengthen intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement operations between the two countries.
The NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), emphasized that the agreement is the result of years of engagement between the two agencies. He highlighted that NDLEA has intercepted 354.7kg of illicit drugs, including cocaine, cannabis, and tramadol, concealed in consignments destined for the UAE between 2021 and 2026. This significant seizure led to the arrest and prosecution of 47 suspects, underscoring the need for closer cooperation to disrupt trafficking networks.
The Chairman of NDEA, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to collaborating with Nigeria to disrupt trafficking networks operating along their trade and travel routes. He described the MoU as a natural progression of the productive relationship already established between the two agencies. This partnership is expected to lead to stronger intelligence-sharing, improved joint operations, and greater disruption of trafficking networks.
The agreement between NDLEA and NDEA is consistent with the shared international responsibility to combat illicit drug trafficking under the framework of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Both agencies expressed confidence that the partnership would yield positive results in the fight against drug trafficking. The strong trade and travel links between Nigeria and the UAE make it essential for the two countries to work together to prevent the exploitation of these connections by trafficking networks.
The signing of the MoU demonstrates the commitment of both countries to addressing the issue of drug trafficking. The partnership will enable the two agencies to share intelligence, coordinate efforts, and conduct joint operations to disrupt trafficking networks. This cooperation is expected to have a significant impact on the fight against drug trafficking in the region.
The NDLEA and NDEA have a history of cooperation, and this agreement is a significant milestone in their partnership. The two agencies have been working together for several years, and this MoU is a testament to their commitment to combating drug trafficking. The agreement is expected to lead to a significant reduction in the trafficking of illicit drugs between Nigeria and the UAE.
The partnership between NDLEA and NDEA is a significant step towards addressing the issue of drug trafficking in the region. The two agencies will work together to disrupt trafficking networks, share intelligence, and conduct joint operations. This cooperation is expected to have a positive impact on the fight against drug trafficking, and it demonstrates the commitment of both countries to addressing this issue.
Key points
- The NDLEA and NDEA have signed a MoU to strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking.
- The partnership aims to disrupt trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-UAE corridor.
- The agreement is consistent with the shared international responsibility to combat illicit drug trafficking under the UNODC framework.
