NDLEA, Egypt to Sign MoU on Intelligence Sharing, Joint Anti-Drug Operations
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Egypt are set to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse through a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on intelligence sharing, joint operations and capacity building.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad, during a courtesy visit.
Marwa said the proposed agreement would institutionalise collaboration between both countries’ anti-narcotics agencies, enabling them to jointly tackle the growing threat of transnational drug trafficking across Africa.
He noted that Nigeria and Egypt have maintained cordial diplomatic relations over the years and stressed that the increasing global drug challenge makes closer cooperation imperative.
“The drug problem is a global challenge. No country is immune. The menace has become widespread across the world, making international collaboration essential,” Marwa said.
He highlighted the NDLEA’s existing partnerships with major 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 and Border Force, the French Police, the German Criminal Police, India’s Narcotics Control Bureau and the UK’s Home Office International Operations.
According to him, the proposed MoU with Egypt will further strengthen Africa’s collective response to drug trafficking.
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“We are excited about collaborating with Egypt through an MoU. Drug cartels are increasingly seeking alternative routes into Africa due to growing pressure elsewhere, and we must remain united to prevent the continent from becoming a safe haven for organised criminal networks,” he said.
Marwa cited recent operational successes by the NDLEA, including the dismantling of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory valued at approximately $362 million, allegedly operated by Mexican nationals in a remote forest location in Nigeria.
He also revealed that the agency recently dismantled another methamphetamine laboratory linked to another group of Mexican nationals in a separate state, describing the operations as significant breakthroughs in Nigeria’s campaign against international drug syndicates.
He expressed optimism that the signing of the MoU would deepen institutional cooperation between Nigeria and Egypt in combating narcotics trafficking.
Earlier, the Egyptian Ambassador underscored the need for stronger bilateral collaboration between the continent’s two leading countries to address the growing challenge of illicit drug trafficking.
Fouad said Egypt was keen to work closely with Nigeria in developing coordinated strategies to combat narcotics trafficking, enhance intelligence sharing and support ongoing efforts by the NDLEA.
“Egypt and Nigeria, as two prominent African countries, should work together to tackle narcotics trafficking from a continental perspective because it affects societies across Africa,” the envoy said.
He explained that his visit was aimed at exploring areas of collaboration, understanding the operational priorities of the NDLEA and identifying ways Egypt could support Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign.
The planned MoU is expected to strengthen cooperation in intelligence exchange, joint enforcement operations, training, capacity development and other areas considered critical to disrupting transnational drug trafficking networks operating across Africa.
By PRNigeria
