UAE Pledges Support, Partnership With NDLEA, Hails Marwa’s Leadership

The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of continuous support and stronger partnership in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
The assurance was given by the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Salem Alshamsi, during a courtesy visit to the NDLEA Chairman, retired, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, yesterday in Abuja.
In a statement by the NDLEA spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi yesterday in Abuja, Alshamsi commended Marwa for providing excellent leadership that had resulted in a streak of operational successes in drug control efforts across the country.
“I’m here to appreciate your hard work and the great leadership you have provided the NDLEA.
“We have been following your achievements closely, and I must say you have done very well and continue to do an excellent job,” he said.
He, however, noted that the UAE was particularly proud of NDLEA’s efforts in blocking drug consignments headed for the UAE, adding that his visit was aimed at deepening cooperation in combating drug trafficking.
“The UAE looks forward to working more closely with Nigeria on drug enforcement matters.
“We need to exchange information about drug dealers and their activities. We are here to help and support you, especially on this matter,” he maintained.
Alshamsi also conveyed his government’s readiness to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NDLEA to strengthen collaboration and information sharing between both countries.
He extended an invitation to Marwa to visit his counterparts in the UAE and the Dubai Police leadership for further engagements, expressing optimism that bilateral ties between both nations would continue to grow stronger.
“The relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria has become one of the best.
“If there is anything I can do to support the great work you’re doing here, please do not hesitate to ask. Our mission is to be here for you, assist and support you,” he added.
In his response, Marwa appreciated the envoy for his kind words and commended the UAE for its developmental strides and deepening trade relations with Nigeria.
He lauded the ambassador’s years of dedicated service, noting that the steady growth in trade and movement between both countries aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I’d like to acknowledge the strong diplomatic relations between our two countries that have continued to grow stronger every year.
“The drug scourge is universal, both trafficking and abuse and there is a need for collaboration among nations to find solutions.
“In Nigeria, the NDLEA is the agency tasked with controlling illicit drugs in the country,” he added
The NDLEA boss disclosed that in the last four years, the agency had intercepted 302.202 kilograms of assorted illicit substances destined for the UAE.
Marwa said the drugs were seized either at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport,(MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, or through courier companies in the state.
He reaffirmed NDLEA’s commitment to partnering with all leading drug law enforcement agencies across the world and expressed willingness to honour the UAE’s invitation for further collaborative discussions.
“We welcome the collaboration between NDLEA and our counterparts in the UAE, and we are also willing to honour the invitation to visit for discussions and to sign the MoU,”he said.