In a historic move to strengthen cross-border efforts against illicit drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of Nigeria and the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at tightening the noose on drug cartels operating between both nations.

The agreement, signed in Riyadh on Monday, 7 April 2025, outlines key areas of cooperation including intelligence sharing, joint investigations, training of personnel at the Saudi Academy, provision of operational logistics, and the exchange of data on drug-related convictions.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), who signed on behalf of Nigeria, described the development as a significant milestone in the longstanding bilateral relationship between both countries. Accompanied by the Agency’s Director of Operations and General Investigation, Ahmed Sule Ningi, Marwa emphasized that the partnership marks a shift from mere engagement to deeper collaboration in narcotics control.

“This MoU will strengthen our collective expertise and establish strategic frameworks to address the global threat posed by illicit drugs,” Marwa said. “Drug trafficking knows no borders. It is a crisis that transcends geography and ideology and requires unified global action.”

Marwa highlighted that the collaboration builds upon nearly two decades of working relationship between NDLEA and Saudi authorities. “Our partnership has led to multiple arrests and seizures. At Nigerian airports, 44 suspects have been arrested in 35 drug-related cases involving outbound flights to Saudi Arabia, resulting in the seizure of 37.6 kilograms of cocaine and other substances between November 2007 and January 2025,” he stated.

He also cited the interception of 74.12kg of Captagon at Apapa Port in September 2021—Africa’s first known seizure of the drug—as a major success enabled by Saudi intelligence.

In terms of overall performance, Marwa disclosed that Nigeria, through the NDLEA, has arrested over 57,792 drug offenders in the past four years, including 65 identified drug barons. The Agency also recorded over 10 million kilograms of illicit drugs seized, 10,572 convictions, and the rehabilitation of 22,047 drug users across 33 treatment centres nationwide.

He expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for its continued support and highlighted areas where further assistance would be beneficial.

On his part, Major General Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Qarni, Director General of the GDNC, expressed satisfaction that the MoU was finally being signed after over three years of deliberations. He commended Marwa and the NDLEA for their steadfast commitment to global anti-drug efforts and pledged that the Saudi authorities would uphold the terms of the agreement while deepening their support for Nigeria’s drug control operations.

The partnership, officials say, marks a new era of enhanced international cooperation in the global war against drug trafficking, and is expected to serve as a model for future bilateral and multilateral engagements.