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• April 7, 2025
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Nigeria, Saudi Arabia tighten noose on drug cartels as NDLEA, GDNC sign MoU

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, GDNC, of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to strengthen operational partnership and tighten the noose on drug trafficking networks operating between both countries. Highlights of the MoU include the exchange of intelligence between Nigeria
Nigeria, Saudi Arabia tighten noose on drug cartels as NDLEA, GDNC sign MoU

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, GDNC, of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to strengthen operational partnership and tighten the noose on drug trafficking networks operating between both countries.

Highlights of the MoU include the exchange of intelligence between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi will avail NDLEA its academy for joint training, provision of operational logistics, conduct of joint investigations and exchange of data on convicts.

This was made known by Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja.

Speaking at the signing of the partnership agreement in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday 7th April 2025, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohammed Marwa, who was accompanied by the agency’s Director of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) Ahmed Sule Ningi, acknowledged that both countries have long been steadfast allies across various spheres, with a history of strong bilateral relations.

“However, today marks a particularly significant milestone—one that has been long overdue and holds immense importance for both our nations. Today’s event marks the culmination of the strong relationship between our two nations, particularly between our respective anti-narcotics agencies—the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of Nigeria and the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Marwa stated.

According to the NDLEA boss, “this partnership is not merely a matter of engagements but has extended to a deeper connection, as evidenced by the signing of the MoU today which will no doubt build on our collective expertise and establish effective strategies to address the complexities of narcotics control”.

Explaining the significance of the agreement, Marwa said “Illicit drugs have become a global challenge that transcends geographical and ideological divides”.

“Whether in the East or West, North or South, drug trafficking and abuse pose a shared threat to humanity. Addressing this crisis requires setting aside artificial differences and working together in unity.

“The instrumentality of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the frameworks of various UN conventions have established a common ground for countries to cooperate and coordinate efforts to effectively combat this mutual challenge,” he said.

Marwa noted that Nigeria, through the NDLEA, has actively collaborated with international partners, such as the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA); International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (INL) of the US; United Kingdom Border Force; National Crime Agency (NCA) of the UK, the French Police; the German Police, while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has remained one of Nigeria’s key allies.

“Our cooperation has been longstanding, with mutual support predating the formal signing of this Memorandum of Understanding. In fact, our working relationship extends back nearly two decades. And in the past decade, Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have maintained a strong partnership in combating drug trafficking, particularly through intelligence sharing and joint enforcement efforts.

“As a result, in the last four years, we have made over 57,792 arrests, including 65 drug barons, leading to the seizure of more than 10million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs. We have also recorded the conviction of over 10,572 offenders while a total of 22, 047 drug users have been treated and rehabilitated across our 33 treatment centres during the same period,” Marwa stated.

He acknowledged how past collaboration between both nations has resulted in numerous arrests and drug seizures. “Over the past 18 years, Nigerian airports have recorded multiple drug-related arrests on outbound flights to Saudi Arabia.

“At MAKIA, NAIA, and MMIA, a total of 44 suspects were apprehended across 35 cases involving departing flights. Between 12th November 2007 and 15th January 2025, these operations led to the seizure of 37.6kg of cocaine, along with other prohibited substances.

“Saudi authorities have also provided intelligence leading to significant seizures, including the interception of 74.12kg of Captagon opioids at Apapa Port, Lagos, in September 2021. The shipment, originating from Syria, was under surveillance for five months before NDLEA seized it, marking the first known Captagon bust in Africa.

“Similarly, Saudi authorities have played a key role in joint investigations involving Nigerians apprehended for drug trafficking. In August 2023, after the arrest of Zulaihat Adam, Binta Nasidi, and Rashidat Abdullahi in Jeddah, the NDLEA swiftly traced and detained their accomplices in Nigeria, dismantling the network that facilitated the operation,” he added.

While commending the Saudi authorities for previous support to NDLEA, Marwa highlighted other areas of need where the agency will require the assistance of Saudi government.

Director General of Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control, Major General Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Qarni, expressed happiness the MoU was being signed after over three years of initial discussions and preparations.

Al-Qarni commended Marwa and his team for their resilience, sincerity and commitment to the global effort to tame the scourge of illicit drug trafficking.

He assured of the commitment of the Saudi authorities to the letters of the MoU, while promising more support to NDLEA in the months ahead.

Nigeria, Saudi Arabia tighten noose on drug cartels as NDLEA, GDNC sign MoU

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US calculations for tariffs are ‘nonsense’ – German economy minister

Germany’s Economy Minister Robert Habeck has said that the premise of US President Donald Trump’s wide-ranging tariffs is nonsense, arguing that Europe is in a strong position. Habeck, who is also vice chancellor in Germany’s outgoing government, stated this on Monday as he arrived for a meeting of European Union trade ministers in Luxembourg. He
US calculations for tariffs are ‘nonsense’ – German economy minister

Germany’s Economy Minister Robert Habeck has said that the premise of US President Donald Trump’s wide-ranging tariffs is nonsense, arguing that Europe is in a strong position.

Habeck, who is also vice chancellor in Germany’s outgoing government, stated this on Monday as he arrived for a meeting of European Union trade ministers in Luxembourg.

He further said that he and his colleagues must act“calmly, prudently but also clearly and with determination.”

According to him, “that means“being clear that we are in a strong position and America is in a position of weakness”.

Habeck stressed that it was important for the EU to stick together, arguing that attempts by individual countries to win exemptions haven’t worked in the past.

He emphasized the significance of trade agreements and contacts with other regions of the world, such as South America, Asia and the Pacific.

Speaking of Trump’s tariffs, the German minister said even the basis of the calculation is nonsense, adding that the assumption that a trade budget surplus or deficit is a problem in itself is a wrong estimation.

US calculations for tariffs are ‘nonsense’ – German economy minister

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God made me Alaafin of Oyo, I never met Makinde to influence my selection – Oba Owoade

The new Alaafin of Oyo State, Oba Akeem Olatunji Owoade, has anchored his emergence on the will of God, saying he never knew he would sit on the throne. Owoade said he never met Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State or former Senator Monsurat Sunmonu to influence his emergence as the 46th Alaafin. Owoade was
God made me Alaafin of Oyo, I never met Makinde to influence my selection – Oba Owoade

The new Alaafin of Oyo State, Oba Akeem Olatunji Owoade, has anchored his emergence on the will of God, saying he never knew he would sit on the throne.

Owoade said he never met Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State or former Senator Monsurat Sunmonu to influence his emergence as the 46th Alaafin.

Owoade was crowned as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo on Saturday after completing all the necessary rites.

Speaking during a thanksgiving service at the Anglican Cathedral Church, Esiele, Oyo town, Owoade said his emergence is not tied to political connections or influence.

“I never knew nor met both the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, before and during the process to the throne.

“I never knew I would be the next Alaafin of Oyo, as I was neither desperate nor cutting corners in order to become the Alaafin at all costs. It was the will of God.

“Let us remember that united we stand and divided we fall. In unity lies the strength and with togetherness, devoid of bickering and acrimony, we will successfully accomplish the arduous task ahead,” he said.

The newly crowned monarch pledged to ensure ethical leadership and a secure and inclusive environment for the people of Oyo.

Presenting Owoade to the public over the weekend, Makinde had said those who said they have not “been told or heard, or who are running up and down, should come around and see the new Alaafin of Oyo”.

God made me Alaafin of Oyo, I never met Makinde to influence my selection – Oba Owoade

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Minister asks NYSC to stop early morning drills for corps members in orientation camp

Minister of Youth, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has requested that the management of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, change its programme to allow corps members to have enough rest during their 21-day orientation camp. The minister made the call during the 2025 annual management conference, themed ‘Transforming the NYSC Scheme to meet the yearnings of
Minister asks NYSC to stop early morning drills for corps members in orientation camp

Minister of Youth, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has requested that the management of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, change its programme to allow corps members to have enough rest during their 21-day orientation camp.

The minister made the call during the 2025 annual management conference, themed ‘Transforming the NYSC Scheme to meet the yearnings of the contemporary Nigerian graduates and society’, held in Abuja on Monday.

According to him, adjusting the time to allow camp drills to start later in the day – about 7:00 am – instead of the usual 4:00 am daily routine, would help the prospective corps members become more active.

The minister said he has already started consultations to make this a reality, adding that he is dedicated to the welfare of the Nigerian youths.

He said, “The NYSC members should be allowed to start their drilling by 7:00 am and not 4:00 am.

“Is drilling the purpose for us to do things? Of what purpose is drilling to us? We are not saying drilling should not be there. Drilling should be there. But we talk about unity in diversity. We are bringing them together in unity, and that is the major purpose.

“So how can we still stay on the purpose of bringing new innovation? When you are active, when you are doing research, when you are doing things differently, when you are making up in life and all that within three weeks, how can you be lazy? You can’t be lazy.

“What we are saying is to recharge the brain and make the brain work from what we have now, so that you can have the job market.

“Since when we’ve been drilling, are we viable in the job market? We can’t continue to be putting people out every year, 480,000 [every year] and no improvement.

“See, there’s nothing. There’s no job, there is no house, there is no institution that you keep on doing the same thing every time, and if you want a different result, you cannot have it.

“So that is why we are saying we are looking beyond. We want to even think outside the bus, so that we can get it and that is why you see all these directors, I can tell you, they have the energy. Now, the energy is back, and they want to do the right thing, not that they were not doing the right thing before, but he wants to do it more.”

Minister asks NYSC to stop early morning drills for corps members in orientation camp