Nigeria and Qatar have officially activated a strategic partnership to combat illicit drug trafficking, following a symbolic exchange of ratified instruments in Abuja.
The ceremony, held at the Qatar Embassy, saw the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), and Qatar’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri, formalize the agreement.
According to the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Mr Femi Babafemi, in a statement, this activation follows the historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha on March 3, 2024.
The agreement outlines cooperation on combating the illicit trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursors.
During the event, the NDLEA Chairman, stressed the NDLEA’s commitment to the collaboration, highlighting the global threat posed by substance abuse.
He revealed that in the last four years, the agency had intercepted over 1,000 kilograms of various narcotics, including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, that were destined for Qatar.
Lauding the Qatari government’s humanitarian work through the Qatar Foundation, the NDLEA chief also appealed for the foundation’s support in providing rehabilitation facilities for the treatment of people with drug addiction in Nigeria.
In response, Ambassador Al-Hajri affirmed that the bilateral partnership has greatly improved, noting a recent increase in travel between the two countries.
He assured Brig. Gen. Marwa that the request for assistance with rehabilitation centers would be promptly conveyed to the Qatar Foundation for consideration.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen