NDLEA and UAE Sign Pact to Combat Drug Trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Drug Enforcement Authority of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking. The agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi, UAE, during the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, stated that the pact would enhance intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement operations along the Nigeria-UAE corridor. He noted that between 2021 and 2026, the NDLEA intercepted approximately 354.7kg of illicit drugs bound for the UAE, leading to 47 arrests.

The UAE will also provide Nigerian travelers with a list of prohibited items to avoid violations of drug laws. Marwa reported that the NDLEA arrested over 91,000 suspects and seized more than 15.5 million kilograms of illicit drugs during its operations from January 2021 to July 2026.

Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, Chairman of the NDEA, affirmed the UAE's commitment to collaborating with Nigeria to disrupt trafficking networks.