The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom’s Home Office International Operations (HOIO), reinforcing bilateral cooperation in the ongoing war against illicit drug trafficking and transnational organised crime.
The agreement was signed in Abuja during a high-level meeting between the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), and the visiting UK HOIO team led by its Regional Director for Africa, Victoria Pullen.
Speaking during the event, Gen. Marwa expressed gratitude for the United Kingdom’s longstanding partnership and support in Nigeria’s anti-narcotics campaign. He disclosed that the NDLEA, under his leadership, has made significant progress, recording over 52,000 arrests and securing more than 9,000 convictions in the past three years. The agency also seized upwards of 8,000 tonnes of assorted illicit substances within the period.
He said the renewed MoU will further boost operational synergy, intelligence sharing, training, and logistics support, all of which are critical to sustaining the momentum in Nigeria’s drug war.
According to the NDLEA boss, the UK Government has played a strategic role in strengthening the agency’s capabilities, particularly in maritime operations. He cited the construction and recent commissioning of a new Marine Command Headquarters at the Eko Atlantic Beach in Lagos as one of the many supports received from the UK.
In her remarks, Pullen commended the NDLEA for the professionalism and dedication shown in dismantling drug trafficking networks. She reaffirmed her government’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Nigeria and described the NDLEA as one of the most effective anti-drug agencies in West Africa.
She noted that 35 marine operatives from the agency have been trained in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, equipping them with modern skills in weapon handling, tactical operations, boat navigation, and vessel searches. These efforts, she said, have led to notable operational gains in intercepting drugs trafficked through Nigeria’s waterways.
The renewed MoU is expected to address not only narcotics trafficking but also the broader spectrum of organised crime with links to the UK and West African region. Both parties expressed optimism that the reinforced partnership will produce greater results in disrupting drug supply chains and safeguarding public health.
The NDLEA and the UK Government have worked collaboratively in recent years to build a robust framework for anti-drug operations, and this latest development is a clear indicator of their shared commitment to confronting the global drug menace.
