Abuja: The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has commended the participation of the agency’s Maritime Intelligence Officers in the just-concluded North Sea and Channel Maritime Information Group meeting in the United Kingdom.
Marwa, in a statement by NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi on Friday in Abuja, described Nigeria’s invitation as the only African country represented at the conference as a significant recognition of the NDLEA’s growing operational capacity.
This, he said, included professionalism and strategic relevance in global counter-narcotics efforts.
The NDLEA boss noted that the participation of the agency’s officers in conference sessions and joint operational exchanges with the UK Border Force marked a major milestone.
This, he added, was in strengthening international collaboration against transnational organised crime.
He said the exposure of NDLEA personnel to advanced interdiction techniques, intelligence-sharing frameworks and real-time maritime operations would enhance the agency’s capacity.
“Especially in the area to disrupt drug trafficking networks along Nigeria’s waterways and maritime corridors,” he said.
Marwa emphasised that such international engagements were critical to building a modern, intelligence-driven enforcement institution capable of responding effectively to evolving drug trafficking trends.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to deepening partnerships with global counterparts to safeguard Nigeria and contribute meaningfully to global drug control efforts.
The NDLEA chairman also expressed appreciation to UK authorities, particularly the Home Office International Operations and the UK Border Force, for the cooperation extended to the agency’s officers.
“The NDLEA will continue to leverage such platforms to improve operational efficiency and achieve its mandate,” he said.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Deputy Commander of Narcotics(DCN), Aminu Jega, said the visit aimed at strengthening operational cooperation.
This, he said included intelligence sharing and maritime security collaboration between the NDLEA and relevant UK maritime and law enforcement authorities.
Jega explained that the conference brought together maritime security stakeholders from several European countries and UK agencies.
“This is to deliberate on maritime intelligence sharing, emerging threats and collaborative operational strategies,” he maintained.
Jega added that the NDLEA team presented the agency’s operational achievements during the event, which generated significant interest and attracted positive commendations from participating organisations.
