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

The agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi on Saturday on the sidelines of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the agreement would deepen intelligence-sharing, operational coordination and joint enforcement along the Nigeria-UAE corridor.

He said the pact was the result of years of engagement between the two agencies and would strengthen efforts to disrupt trafficking networks exploiting the strong 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, including cocaine, cannabis, tramadol, Rohypnol, ecstasy and khat, concealed in consignments destined for the UAE.

The seizures, he said, resulted in the arrest and prosecution of 47 suspects.

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

The NDLEA boss also disclosed 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.

Giving an account of the agency's nationwide operations between January 2021 and July 2026, Marwa said more than 91,000 suspects, including 243 alleged drug barons, had been arrested.

He said the agency also seized more than 15.5 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals and secured 16,469 convictions during the period.

According to him, more than 53,000 drug users received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation, while the NDLEA's War Against Drug Abuse campaign reached nearly 5.9 million Nigerians through community and school engagements.

The Chairman of the NDEA, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to working with Nigeria to disrupt trafficking networks exploiting the strong ties between the two countries.

He described the MoU as a natural progression of the existing cooperation between the two agencies.

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