The chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, said the agency’s maritime intelligence officers participated in the recently concluded North Sea and Channel Maritime Information Group meeting in the United Kingdom.

Mr Marwa, in a statement by NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi on Friday in Abuja, said Nigeria was the only African country represented at the conference, adding that it was a significant recognition of the agency’s growing operational capacity.

This, he said, included professionalism and strategic relevance in global counter-narcotics efforts.

The NDLEA boss noted that the agency’s officers’ participation in conference sessions and joint operational exchanges with the UK Border Force marked a major milestone.

This, he added, was in strengthening international collaboration against transnational organised crime.

He said the exposure of NDLEA personnel to advanced interdiction techniques, intelligence-sharing frameworks and real-time maritime operations would enhance the agency’s capacity.

“Especially in the area to disrupt drug trafficking networks along Nigeria’s waterways and maritime corridors,” he said.

Mr Marwa emphasised that such international engagements were critical to 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 to safeguard Nigeria and contribute meaningfully to global drug control efforts.

The NDLEA chairman also expressed appreciation to UK authorities, particularly the Home Office International Operations and the UK Border Force, for the cooperation extended to the agency’s officers.

“The NDLEA will continue to leverage such platforms to improve operational efficiency and achieve its mandate,” he said.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, deputy commander of narcotics (DCN), Aminu Jega, said the visit aimed at strengthening operational cooperation.

This, he said, included intelligence sharing and maritime security collaboration between the NDLEA and relevant UK maritime and law enforcement authorities.

Mr Jega explained that the conference brought together maritime security stakeholders from several European countries and UK agencies.

“This is to deliberate on maritime intelligence sharing, emerging threats and collaborative operational strategies,” he maintained.

Mr Jega added that the NDLEA team presented the agency’s operational achievements during the event, which generated significant interest and attracted positive commendations from participating organisations.

(NAN)