NDLEA, UAE NDEA Sign Anti-Drug Trafficking MoU

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

The agreement was signed on September 26, 2026, on the sidelines of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi. It is expected to deepen intelligence-sharing, operational coordination and joint enforcement activities along the Nigeria-UAE corridor.  

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the agreement was the result of years of engagement between both agencies. He noted that stronger cooperation was necessary to disrupt trafficking networks taking advantage of the extensive travel and trade links between Nigeria and the UAE.  

Marwa disclosed that between 2021 and 2026, the NDLEA intercepted about 354.7 kilogrammes of illicit drugs concealed in consignments destined for the UAE. The substances included cocaine, cannabis, tramadol, Rohypnol, ecstasy and khat, with the seizures resulting in the arrest and prosecution of 47 suspects.  

Under the new partnership, both agencies are expected to strengthen the exchange of liaison personnel, operational information and technical expertise. The UAE will also provide Nigerian travellers with a comprehensive list of prohibited items to help prevent inadvertent violations of its drug laws.  

The NDEA Chairman, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to working with Nigeria to disrupt trafficking networks operating along the two countries’ trade and travel routes.

Both agencies expressed confidence that the MoU would enhance intelligence-sharing, improve joint enforcement operations and support efforts to dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-UAE axis.