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 enhance cooperation between the two agencies in combating 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, described the MoU as a significant milestone in the fight against drug trafficking. He noted that the agreement would deepen intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement action between Nigeria and the UAE. Marwa highlighted that between 2021 and 2026, NDLEA intercepted 354.7kg of illicit drugs concealed in consignments bound for the UAE, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of 47 suspects.
Brig. Gen. Marwa provided an overview of NDLEA's achievements between January 2021 and July 2026. The agency arrested over 91,000 individuals, including 243 drug barons, and seized more than 15.5 million kilograms of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals. NDLEA secured 16,469 convictions and provided counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation to over 53,000 drug users. Additionally, the agency's War Against Drug Abuse advocacy campaign reached nearly 5.9 million Nigerians.
The MoU between NDLEA and NDEA will build on existing cooperation, including the exchange of liaison personnel, sharing of operational information, and technical cooperation. The UAE has agreed to provide Nigerian travellers with a comprehensive list of prohibited items to prevent inadvertent violations. This cooperation aims to disrupt trafficking networks exploiting the strong trade, travel, and people-to-people ties between Nigeria and the UAE.
The Chairman of NDEA, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to working closely with Nigeria to combat drug trafficking. He described the MoU as a natural evolution of a productive relationship between the two agencies. Al Nahyan emphasized the importance of cooperation in disrupting trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-UAE axis.
The NDLEA and NDEA expressed confidence that the MoU would lead to stronger intelligence-sharing, more successful joint operations, and the dismantling of trafficking networks. This cooperation aligns with the shared global responsibility championed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The agreement is expected to enhance the fight against drug trafficking and contribute to a safer and more secure region.
The signing of the MoU marks a significant step in the fight against drug trafficking between Nigeria and the UAE. Both agencies have demonstrated their commitment to cooperation and collaboration in combating this menace. The agreement is expected to yield positive results and contribute to a reduction in drug trafficking activities in the region.
Key points
- The MoU between NDLEA and NDEA aims to enhance intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement action to combat drug trafficking.
- NDLEA has intercepted 354.7kg of illicit drugs concealed in consignments bound for the UAE between 2021 and 2026.
- The agreement is expected to lead to stronger intelligence-sharing, more successful joint operations, and the dismantling of trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-UAE axis.
