By Nkechi Eze
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has taken a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s maritime security architecture with the completion of a strategic, week-long working visit to the United Kingdom by officers from its Directorate of Seaport Operations. The intensive capacity-building engagement, held from 19th to 25th October 2025, exposed the team to cutting-edge global practices in maritime intelligence, port security, and inter-agency coordination.
According to a signed statement by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the six-man delegation was led by Deputy Commander of Narcotics (DCN) Aminu Danjuma Jega and accompanied throughout the mission by Mr. Errol Flynn Macdonald of the UK Home Office International Operations (HOIO). The officers visited key British maritime and border protection facilities, where they observed advanced enforcement systems, intelligence models, and layered container-screening procedures.
Babafemi added that the second phase of the training an Advanced Container Targeting Course was conducted for an additional 19 NDLEA officers in Lagos from Monday, 10th to Thursday, 13th November 2025, facilitated by the HOIO Intelligence team. Both the UK working visit and the Lagos training were fully sponsored by the UK Home Office International Operations.
During the UK engagements, the NDLEA team held high-level discussions with officials of 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. The delegation also received extensive briefings from the UK National Deep Rummaging Team, which demonstrated advanced techniques for vessel rummage operations designed to detect concealed narcotics on ships.
At Tilbury and Felixstowe Ports, the officers witnessed live demonstrations of layered container inspections and risk-based screening, with inward-bound containers from Nigeria among those examined. A major highlight was the introduction of the Advanced Sea Searcher System, a cutting-edge underwater detection technology used globally to trace hidden contraband beneath ships and port structures. The system’s precision and speed were described as a potential game-changer for NDLEA’s maritime operations along Nigeria’s coastlines.
In his post-engagement briefing to the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), delegation leader Aminu Jega said the international exposure significantly enhanced the Agency’s understanding of intelligence-led maritime enforcement. He stressed that the knowledge gained would deepen collaboration between the NDLEA and other maritime security institutions 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 we witnessed, particularly in vessel rummage and underwater detection, are invaluable to NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to counter transnational drug trafficking through our seaports,” Jega said.
Responding, Marwa commended the officers for their professionalism and for representing the country creditably throughout the foreign engagement. He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to continuous training, technology adoption, and stronger cooperation with international partners in the global fight against illicit drugs.
“Maritime routes remain critical in global drug trafficking networks. Strengthening our officers’ technical capacity and intelligence integration with our 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 and ensuring safer maritime operations,” Marwa said.
He added that the NDLEA will continue to expand its collaboration with the UK Home Office International Operations and other global law enforcement institutions as part of its sustained campaign against transnational organized drug crime.
