Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation against transnational drug trafficking and disrupt criminal networks operating along the Nigeria-UAE corridor.
The agreement was signed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the United Arab Emirates’ National Drug Enforcement Authority on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, on the sidelines of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the agreement was the result of years of engagement between the two agencies and would deepen intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement operations.
Marwa said the partnership would build on existing cooperation, including the exchange of liaison personnel, operational information and technical expertise, while providing a stronger framework for coordinated action against drug trafficking networks.
He disclosed that NDLEA had intercepted approximately 354.7 kilogrammes of illicit drugs in consignments destined for the UAE between 2021 and 2026. The seized substances included cocaine, cannabis, tramadol, Rohypnol, ecstasy and khat, with the interceptions resulting in the arrest and prosecution of 47 suspects.
According to Marwa, the figures demonstrate the need for closer cooperation between the two countries, particularly given their extensive trade, travel and people-to-people links.
As part of the new arrangement, the UAE will provide Nigerian travellers with a comprehensive list of prohibited items to help prevent inadvertent violations of UAE drug laws.
The Chairman of the UAE’s National Drug Enforcement Authority, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to working with Nigeria to disrupt trafficking networks exploiting the strong links between both countries. He described the MoU as a natural progression of the existing relationship between the two agencies.
Post a Comment