NDLEA, UAE Drug Agency Sign Pact To Intensify Fight Against Trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and the United Arab Emirates’ National Drug Enforcement Authority, NDEA, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in the fight against illicit drug trafficking between Nigeria and the UAE.

The agreement was signed on Saturday, September 26, 2026, on the sidelines of the ongoing 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Speaking at the ceremony, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), said the agreement was the outcome of years of engagement between the two agencies and would deepen intelligence sharing and joint enforcement operations along the Nigeria-UAE corridor.

Marwa disclosed that NDLEA intercepted about 354.7 kilogrammes of illicit drugs, including cocaine, cannabis, tramadol, rohypnol, ecstasy and khat, in consignments destined for the UAE between 2021 and 2026. He said the seizures led to the arrest and prosecution of 47 suspects.

The NDLEA chairman also disclosed that between January 2021 and July 2026, the agency arrested more than 91,000 suspects nationwide, including 243 alleged drug barons, and seized over 15.5 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals.

According to him, the agency secured 16,469 convictions during the period, while more than 53,000 drug users received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation. He added that the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, campaign had reached nearly 5.9 million Nigerians through community and school engagements.

Marwa said the new partnership would build on existing cooperation between the two agencies, including the exchange of liaison personnel, operational information and technical expertise.

He added that the UAE would provide Nigerian travellers with a comprehensive list of prohibited items to help prevent inadvertent violations of the country’s drug laws.

Chairman of the NDEA, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to working closely with Nigeria to disrupt trafficking networks exploiting the strong trade, travel and people-to-people ties between both countries.

Both agencies expressed confidence that the agreement would strengthen intelligence sharing, facilitate joint operations and help dismantle trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-UAE route.