The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed readiness to formalise a partnership with Egypt through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing intelligence sharing, joint operations and training in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), made this known on Tuesday in Abuja when the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad, paid him a courtesy visit at the agency’s headquarters.
Marwa said the longstanding diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Egypt provided a solid foundation for deeper collaboration in addressing the growing global drug problem, which he described as a challenge affecting every region of the world.
“The drug problem is a global challenge. No country is untouched, and the menace is present everywhere. That is why international cooperation is critical,” Marwa said.
He noted that NDLEA currently collaborates with several international law enforcement agencies, including the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau of the United States, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, UK Border Force, French and German police authorities, India’s Narcotics Control Bureau and the UK Home Office International Operations.
According to him, the proposed agreement with Egypt will further strengthen efforts to combat transnational drug trafficking networks operating across Africa.
“We are very excited that we are going to collaborate with Egypt through an MoU. Drug cartels are increasingly seeking alternative routes into Africa due to growing pressure elsewhere, and we must remain united in pushing them out of the continent,” he said.
Highlighting recent successes recorded by the agency, Marwa disclosed that NDLEA recently dismantled major methamphetamine production facilities allegedly operated by foreign drug syndicates.
He recalled that operatives of the agency shut down a methamphetamine laboratory valued at about $362 million, allegedly operated by Mexican nationals in a remote forest area in Nigeria.
He added that another meth lab linked to Mexican operators was recently dismantled in a separate state.
“They are coming through Africa from Mexico, but we have remained vigilant. About two months ago, we took down a methamphetamine laboratory worth $362 million.
The facility was being operated by Mexicans deep in the jungle. We have also dismantled another meth lab run by Mexican nationals in another state,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA boss expressed optimism that the proposed MoU would institutionalise cooperation between both countries and strengthen the capacity of their anti-narcotics agencies.
“I believe signing the MoU will pave the way for stronger institutional cooperation between our competent agencies in combating narcotics trafficking and related crimes,” he added.
Earlier, Ambassador Fouad stressed the need for closer collaboration between Nigeria and Egypt, describing both countries as major African powers with a shared responsibility to tackle the continent’s growing drug challenge.
He said enhanced bilateral cooperation would help both nations address illicit drug trafficking from a broader continental perspective.
“Egypt and Nigeria are two prominent African countries, and we should be able to address the challenge of combating narcotics from a continental perspective because it affects societies across Africa,” the envoy said.
Fouad explained that his visit was aimed at exploring areas of cooperation with the NDLEA and identifying ways Egypt could support the agency’s efforts in combating illicit drug trafficking.
“I am here to discuss what we can do together in combating the illicit trade and trafficking of narcotics, to better understand your priorities as an agency, and to see how Egypt can support the excellent work being carried out by NDLEA in Nigeria,” he said.
