The Nigerian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yahaya Lawan, says Nigeria is collaborating with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to combat drug trafficking.

In a virtual interview on Saturday, he said anti-drug security agencies have been engaging to check drug trafficking between the two countries.

Mr Lawal explained that a joint commission meeting in Abuja was held recently to discuss the formulation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on controlling drug trafficking.

“In October, there was a joint commission meeting in Abuja, and part of what was discussed was the issue of MoU.

“An agreement of collaboration between our securities services, particularly the drug trafficking agencies between our two countries,” Mr Lawal said.

While noting that other nationals also traffick drugs into the Western Asian country, Mr Lawal said efforts were in place to curb the menace.

“Certainly; the two agencies are collaborating to nip the menace in the bud,” he said.

According to Mr Lawal, Saudi Arabian laws prescribe capital punishment for drug trafficking.

He stated that “it is severe, and the punishment is death”.

The envoy said the Nigerian embassy was sensitising Nigerians right from the point of visa application to the point of entry on the Asian country’s laws on drugs trafficking.

“Nigerians are sensitised that whoever attempts to do that, the punishment is severe.”

Mr Lawal further advised Nigerian visitors and those residing in the Kingdom to respect the laws and continue to be good ambassadors of Nigeria in the host country.

(NAN)