Nigeria and the State of Qatar have strengthened their partnership in the fight against illicit drug trafficking with the formal exchange of ratified instruments between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Qatari government.
At a brief ceremony held at the Qatar Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and the Qatari Ambassador to Nigeria, Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri, exchanged documents formalizing a bilateral agreement initially signed on March 3, 2024, in Doha.
The agreement, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, aimed to enhance cooperation in combating the illicit trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursors.
Speaking during the event, Marwa expressed appreciation for Qatar’s commitment to global security and drug control. He emphasized Nigeria’s determination to work closely with Qatari authorities to tackle drug trafficking and related crimes.
“In the last four years, NDLEA has intercepted over 1,000 kilograms of various illicit drugs including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and cannabis—intended for Qatar,” Marwa stated.
The NDLEA Chief also appealed to the Qatar Foundation for support in building rehabilitation facilities across Nigeria to help individuals struggling with drug addiction. He praised the Foundation’s global humanitarian efforts and highlighted the growing need for addiction treatment infrastructure in Nigeria.
In response, Ambassador Al-Hajri commended the progress in bilateral relations and pledged to relay NDLEA’s request to the Qatar Foundation. He noted that cooperation between Nigeria and Qatar has significantly improved, with increased travel and collaboration in recent times.
The agreement marked a major step forward in transnational efforts to curb drug trafficking and underscores both nations’ commitment to public health and security.
