Buba Marwa reveals NDLEA seized over 1,000kg of drugs bound for Qatar, as Nigeria and Qatar strengthen anti-drug cooperation

Buba Marwa NDLEA drug seizure has brought renewed attention to Nigeria’s cross-border anti-narcotics efforts, as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced the interception of over 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, and other illicit substances headed for Qatar in the last four years.

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The revelation came from Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, during the exchange of instruments of ratification of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Qatar on combating illicit drug trafficking.

According to a statement by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the event was held on Tuesday in Abuja, where Marwa met with Qatari Ambassador to Nigeria, Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri.

The MoU, originally signed on March 3, 2024, in Doha by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, seeks to strengthen collaboration in the fight against narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursors.

Marwa described the seizures as evidence of the transnational scale of drug trafficking and stressed the need for deeper international cooperation.

“To protect our people and countries from the threat of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, NDLEA in the last four years intercepted over 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, and others heading to Qatar,” Marwa said.

He praised Qatar’s global humanitarian and peace-building contributions through the Qatar Foundation and appealed for its support in establishing rehabilitation centres in Nigeria for those battling drug addiction.

“While commending the Qatar government for its peace-building efforts and humanitarian work through the Qatar Foundation, the NDLEA boss sought assistance for the provision of rehabilitation facilities for people struggling with drug addiction,” the agency’s statement added.

Marwa reaffirmed NDLEA’s commitment to President Tinubu’s national drug control strategy, which focuses on international collaboration, supply reduction, and demand management through rehabilitation and public enlightenment.

In his remarks, Ambassador Al-Hajri commended Nigeria’s anti-drug efforts and assured that Marwa’s request would be conveyed to the Qatar Foundation.

He noted that the partnership had already enhanced bilateral relations and fostered greater exchanges between both nations.

The ratification of the MoU represents a significant milestone in operationalising the 2024 agreement, aligning with both countries’ shared commitment to curbing illicit drug trafficking.

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Meanwhile, in a related development, the NDLEA recently dismantled two major drug cartels responsible for six cocaine consignments destined for the United Kingdom, arresting six suspects, including the alleged kingpin Alhaji Hammed Ode, during operations across Lagos in early October.