The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has strengthened its maritime surveillance and interdiction capabilities following a week-long working visit to the United Kingdom by officers from the Agency’s Directorate of Seaport Operations.
The six-man team, led by Deputy Commander Narcotics (DCN) Aminu Danjuma Jega, undertook the strategic engagement from October 19 to 25, 2025, under the guidance of Mr. Errol Flynn Macdonald of the UK Home Office International Operations. The delegation visited key British maritime and border enforcement facilities, gaining exposure to international best practices in maritime intelligence, port security, and inter-agency coordination.
The second phase of the training, focusing on Advanced Container Targeting, was conducted for 19 additional NDLEA officers in Lagos from November 10 to 13 by the HOIO Intelligence team. Both training programs were sponsored by the UK Home Office International Operations.
During the engagements, the NDLEA team interacted with officials from 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. Presentations from the UK National Deep Rummaging Team highlighted modern vessel rummage procedures aimed at detecting and preventing illicit drug trafficking through sea routes.
Officers also observed live demonstrations at Tilbury and Felixstowe Ports, where inward-bound containers from Nigeria underwent layered inspections and risk-based screening procedures. Another key highlight was the Advanced Sea Searcher System, a state-of-the-art underwater detection technology capable of locating concealed contraband beneath ships and port structures.
In a post-training presentation to NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), DCN Jega noted that the international exposure had enhanced the team’s understanding of intelligence-led maritime enforcement. He emphasized that the lessons would improve NDLEA’s operational synergy with other maritime and security agencies in Nigeria.
“We were exposed to advanced tools, data-sharing models, and inter-agency coordination frameworks that will significantly improve our maritime intelligence gathering and port surveillance operations. The practical demonstrations, particularly in vessel rummage and underwater detection, are invaluable to NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to counter transnational drug trafficking through our seaports,” Jega said.
In response, Marwa commended the officers for representing Nigeria and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to continuous capacity building and adoption of cutting-edge technologies.
“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 be vital in enhancing NDLEA’s effectiveness in intercepting drug consignments at sea,” Marwa said.
He added that NDLEA 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.
