UK Trains NDLEA Operatives on Advanced Maritime Training to Curb Drug Trafficking
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has enhanced its maritime surveillance and interdiction capacity following the completion of an intensive training programme for its officers in the United Kingdom and Lagos.
A six-man delegation from the Directorate of Seaport Operations, led by Deputy Commander of Narcotics (DCN) Aminu Danjuma Jega, undertook a week-long working visit to the UK from 19th to 25th October 2025. The tour, facilitated by Mr. Errol Flynn Macdonald of the UK Home Office International Operations (HOIO), exposed the officers to global best practices in maritime intelligence, port security, and inter-agency coordination.
During the visit, the delegation engaged extensively 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 team also received in-depth briefings from the UK National Deep Rummaging Team on modern vessel rummage techniques used to detect illicit drugs in ships and cargo.
The officers witnessed live demonstrations at Tilbury and Felixstowe Ports, where containers arriving from Nigeria underwent layered inspections and risk-based screening. A major highlight of the tour was the introduction of the Advanced Sea Searcher System—cutting-edge underwater detection technology capable of identifying concealed contraband beneath ships and port infrastructure.
NDLEA described the system as a potential game-changer for maritime interdiction operations in Nigeria.
Read Also:
In addition to the UK tour, the HOIO Intelligence team conducted a second phase of the training for 19 more NDLEA officers in Lagos between 10th and 13th November 2025. The Lagos residential session focused on Advanced Container Targeting techniques, further strengthening the Agency’s operational readiness.
Presenting the team’s report to the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), delegation leader Jega said the international exposure had expanded the officers’ understanding of intelligence-driven maritime enforcement.
“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,” Jega said. “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.”
Responding, Marwa commended the officers for their performance during the training programme and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to adopting modern technologies and enhancing personnel capacity.
“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,” he said. “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 added that the NDLEA would continue to deepen collaboration with the UK Home Office International Operations and other international law enforcement partners to combat transnational organised drug crime.
The training programmes were fully sponsored by the UK Home Office International Operations.
By PRNigeria
