Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates have entered into a new agreement aimed at improving cooperation against transnational drug trafficking between both countries.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Drug Enforcement Authority of the UAE signed the Memorandum of Understanding in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on the sidelines of the ongoing 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agreement is expected to enhance intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement operations along the Nigeria-UAE corridor.
Speaking at the ceremony, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the agreement followed years of engagement between the two agencies.
“The agreement was the culmination of years of engagement between the two agencies, adding that it would strengthen efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks exploiting the strong travel and trade links between Nigeria and the UAE,” he said.
Marwa disclosed that the NDLEA had intercepted about 354.7kg of illicit substances, including cocaine, cannabis, tramadol, rohypnol, ecstasy and khat, in consignments destined for the UAE between 2021 and 2026.
“The seizures resulted in the arrest and prosecution of 47 suspects, these figures underscored the need for closer cooperation between the two countries in tackling transnational drug trafficking.
“The new partnership would build on the exchange of liaison personnel, operational intelligence and technical cooperation already established between the agencies,” he said.
He added that the UAE would provide Nigerian travellers with a comprehensive list of prohibited items to help prevent inadvertent breaches of the country’s drug laws.
Giving an overview of the NDLEA’s nationwide operations from January 2021 to July 2026, Marwa said the agency had arrested more than 91,000 suspects, including 243 alleged drug barons.
“The NDLEA also seized over 15.5 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals, secured 16,469 convictions and provided counselling, treatment and rehabilitation for more than 53,000 drug users.
“The agency’s War Against Drug Abuse advocacy campaign had reached nearly 5.9 million Nigerians through community and school engagements,” he said.
The Chairman of the NDEA, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, reaffirmed the UAE’s readiness to work with Nigeria to disrupt international drug trafficking networks.
He described the agreement as a continuation of the cooperation that already exists between the two agencies.
Both authorities expressed optimism that the new pact would improve intelligence exchange, facilitate joint operations and help dismantle drug trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-UAE route.
