Drug war: NDLEA, Egypt plan intelligence-sharing, joint operations to tackle traffickers

Michael Olumide

Nigeria and Egypt are set to strengthen their collaboration in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse, with plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will enhance intelligence sharing, joint operations, training, and institutional cooperation between the two countries.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), disclosed this on Tuesday while receiving the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad, during a courtesy visit to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Marwa described the proposed agreement as a major step toward strengthening bilateral efforts to combat the growing threat of narcotics trafficking across Africa, noting that the drug problem has become a global challenge requiring coordinated international action.

He said Nigeria and Egypt have maintained cordial diplomatic relations over the years and should now build on that foundation to confront a common security and public health threat.

“The drug problem is a global challenge. Nowhere is untouched. The drug menace is everywhere in the world, and it is for this reason that we have this kind of collaboration,” Marwa said.

He explained that the NDLEA already works closely with several international anti-narcotics 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, the French Police, the German Criminal Police, India’s Narcotics Control Bureau, and the UK Home Office International Operations.

According to him, the proposed partnership with Egypt would further strengthen Africa’s collective capacity to confront transnational drug syndicates.
“We are therefore very excited that we’re going to collaborate with Egypt through an MoU. We’ve had recent headaches because of the pressure from elsewhere, so the drug cartels are trying to find other alternatives in Africa, but we have to stay united and push them out of our continent,” he said.

Marwa also highlighted recent operational successes recorded by the NDLEA in dismantling international drug manufacturing networks operating within Nigeria.

He revealed that the agency recently uncovered and destroyed a methamphetamine laboratory valued at approximately 362 million dollars, allegedly operated by Mexican nationals deep inside a forest in Nigeria.

“They are coming this way from Mexico, and just about two months ago, we were able to take down a methamphetamine lab worth 362 million dollars. The Mexicans themselves were manufacturing it in Nigeria, in the deep jungle, but we were able to dismantle it,” he stated.

The NDLEA boss further disclosed that another methamphetamine production facility run by another group of Mexican nationals was recently dismantled in a different state.

He expressed confidence that the signing of the MoU would institutionalise cooperation between both countries and significantly improve coordinated efforts against drug trafficking networks.

“I think signing the MoU will pave the way for more institutional cooperation between our competent agencies combating narcotics,” Marwa added.
Earlier, Egyptian Ambassador Mohammed Fouad stressed the need for stronger bilateral cooperation between Africa’s two leading nations in tackling narcotics trafficking, describing the challenge as one affecting societies across the continent.

He said Egypt was committed to working closely with Nigeria to combat illicit drug trade through information exchange, operational collaboration, and other strategic initiatives.

“Overall, I think it’s important for Egypt and Nigeria to enhance our bilateral cooperation in this area. Egypt and Nigeria, being the two prominent African countries, should be able to address the challenge of combating narcotics from a continental perspective, which is impacting societies all over the continent,” the ambassador said.

Fouad explained that his visit was aimed at understanding the operational priorities of the NDLEA and identifying areas where Egypt could support Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign.

“I am on this visit to discuss with you what we can do together in terms of combating illicit trade and trafficking in narcotics and to learn more about your priorities as an agency and how bilateral cooperation with Egypt can help and support the outstanding job you are carrying out here in Nigeria,” he said.

The planned agreement is expected to strengthen intelligence gathering, facilitate joint enforcement operations, improve personnel training, and deepen cooperation between the anti-narcotics agencies of both countries as they intensify efforts to dismantle international drug trafficking networks operating across Africa.