The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expanded its maritime intelligence and interdiction capacity following the completion of an intensive training programme for its officers in the United Kingdom, as well as an advanced container-targeting course held in Lagos.
A six-man delegation from the Directorate of Seaport Operations, led by Deputy Commander of Narcotics Aminu Danjuma Jega, embarked on the UK working visit from 19 to 25 October 2025. The engagement, coordinated by Mr. Errol Flynn Macdonald of the UK Home Office International Operations, exposed the team to international best practices in maritime intelligence, port security, and inter-agency coordination.
During the tour, the NDLEA officers held extensive sessions with the UK Border Force, the National Crime Agency (NCA), Home Office Intelligence, the National Maritime Security Centre, and the Joint Maritime Security Centre in Portsmouth. They also received detailed briefings from the UK National Deep Rummaging Team on modern vessel rummage techniques aimed at identifying and preventing illicit drug trafficking via sea routes.
The delegation witnessed live demonstration sessions at Tilbury and Felixstowe ports, where inward-bound containers from Nigeria underwent layered inspection and risk-based screening procedures. A major highlight of the visit was the presentation of the Advanced Sea Searcher System, a high-precision underwater detection technology capable of identifying concealed contraband beneath ships and port structures widely regarded as a potential game-changer for maritime interdiction.
Following the UK tour, an additional 19 NDLEA officers underwent a four-day Advanced Container Targeting training in Lagos from 10 to 13 November 2025, delivered by the Home Office International Operations Intelligence team. Both the international engagement and the Lagos training were fully sponsored by the UK Home Office.
Presenting the team’s report to the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), Jega said the programme had significantly deepened the Agency’s understanding of intelligence-led maritime enforcement.
“We were exposed to advanced tools, data-sharing models, and inter-agency coordination frameworks that will greatly enhance our maritime intelligence gathering and port surveillance operations. The practical demonstrations, especially in vessel rummage and underwater detection, are invaluable to the NDLEA’s efforts in countering transnational drug trafficking through our seaports,” he said.
Responding, Marwa commended the officers for representing the country effectively and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to sustained capacity-building and technological advancement in the fight against illicit drugs.
“Maritime routes remain critical in global drug trafficking networks. Strengthening our officers’ technical capacity and intelligence integration with international partners is essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders. The lessons from this UK engagement will play a crucial role in enhancing NDLEA’s ability to intercept drug consignments at sea and ensure safer maritime operations,” Marwa stated.
He added that the Agency would continue to deepen collaboration with the UK Home Office International Operations and other global law enforcement partners as part of ongoing efforts to combat transnational organized crime linked to illicit drugs.
