…Agency plans intelligence sharing, joint operations, training with Egypt

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed its readiness to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its Egyptian counterpart to strengthen intelligence sharing, joint operations and training as part of efforts to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in both countries.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd.), stated this when the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad, paid him a courtesy visit to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Marwa said the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and Egypt provides a solid foundation for enhanced cooperation against the growing global drug menace.

“The drug problem is a global challenge. No country is untouched. The drug menace is everywhere in the world, and that is why collaboration is essential,” he said.

He noted that the NDLEA already works closely with several international law enforcement agencies, including the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau of the U.S., the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the UK Border Force, the French Police, the German Criminal Police, India’s Narcotics Control Bureau and the UK Home Office International Operations, among others.

“We are therefore very excited that we are going to collaborate with Egypt through an MoU. Because of increasing pressure from law enforcement agencies worldwide, drug cartels are seeking alternative routes in Africa. We have to remain united and push them out of our continent,” Marwa said.

He highlighted recent successes recorded by the NDLEA against international drug syndicates.
“They are coming this way from Mexico. About two months ago, we dismantled a methamphetamine laboratory worth about $362 million. The laboratory was being operated by Mexican nationals deep inside a forest in Nigeria. We have also dismantled another meth lab run by other Mexicans in a different state.

“I am delighted that Nigeria and Egypt have been working on an MoU to strengthen our cooperation in this critical area. Signing the agreement will pave the way for more institutionalised collaboration between our agencies in the fight against narcotics,” he added.

Earlier, Ambassador Fouad stressed the need for stronger bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Egypt to address the growing challenge of illicit drug trafficking across Africa.

“Egypt and Nigeria, as two of Africa’s leading nations, should strengthen their bilateral cooperation in this area. Together, we can address the challenge of combating narcotics from a continental perspective because it is affecting societies across Africa.

“I am here to discuss what we can do together in combating illicit drug trafficking and to better understand the priorities of the NDLEA, as well as how cooperation with Egypt can support the outstanding work your agency is doing in Nigeria,” the ambassador said.