The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, has commended the participation of NDLEA Maritime Intelligence Officers in the just concluded North Sea and Channel Maritime Information Group meeting held in Southampton, as well as the operational exchange in Felixstowe, and Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
Marwa described the invitation extended to Nigeria, the only African country represented at the conference as a significant recognition of NDLEA’s growing operational capacity, professionalism, and strategic relevance in global counter-narcotics efforts.
He noted that the participation of the Agency’s officers in both the conference sessions and joint operational exercises with the UK Border Force marks a major milestone in strengthening international collaboration against transnational organized crime.
According to him, the exposure of NDLEA officers to advanced interdiction techniques, intelligence-sharing frameworks, and real-time maritime operations will further enhance the Agency’s ability to disrupt drug trafficking networks along Nigeria’s waterways and maritime corridors.
The NDLEA boss emphasized that such international engagements are critical in 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 in order to safeguard Nigeria and contribute meaningfully to global drug control efforts.
In his response to the report presented by Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Aminu Jega who led NDLEA delegation to the conference held in the United Kingdom between 4th and 12th March 2026, Marwa expressed appreciation to the UK authorities, particularly the Home Office International Operations (HOIO) and the Border Force, for the opportunity and cooperation extended to NDLEA officers.
He added that the Agency will continue to leverage such platforms to improve operational efficiency and achieve its mandate.
In his presentation, leader of the delegation, DCN Aminu Jega noted that the primary objective of the conference was to strengthen operational cooperation, intelligence sharing, and maritime security collaboration between the NDLEA and relevant United Kingdom maritime and law enforcement authorities.
He said the conference was a gathering where maritime security stakeholders from several European countries and United Kingdom agencies converged to deliberate on maritime intelligence sharing, emerging maritime threats, and collaborative operational strategies.
He stated that the NDLEA team was also given a platform to present operational achievements of the Agency, a presentation, he said, generated significant interest among participants and was followed by constructive discussions and positive commendations from representatives of participating agencies.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
