By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
NIGERIA’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Kingdom (UK) Home Office International Operations (HOIO) are stepping up efforts in the fight against drug trafficking.
A fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two bodies was signed in Abuja, signaling a renewed commitment to tackle the growing menace of illicit drugs.
Victoria Pullen, Head of HOIO, praised the ongoing collaboration, which she says is yielding significant results.
Speaking during a visit to NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Pullen acknowledged the successes recorded by the NDLEA in recent months.
She commended the agency’s ability to intercept large quantities of illegal substances, calling it proof of effective cooperation.
“The issue of drug trafficking is a global challenge, and it’s clear that working together with the NDLEA has made a real difference,” Pullen noted.
She highlighted the UK’s recent donation of the NDLEA Marine Command Headquarters in Lagos, describing it as a key tool in curbing drug smuggling across Nigeria’s borders.
Moreover, the NDLEA said it has achieved major milestones in its crackdown on drug trafficking.
In the last three years, the agency has made over 52,000 arrests and seized more than 8,000 tons of illicit drugs.
Marwa acknowledged the critical role the UK has played in supporting these efforts, pointing to past UK contributions, including operational facilities and intelligence training.
“Your support has been instrumental in enhancing our capacity and improving our results,” Marwa said, while calling for further cooperation, especially in intelligence sharing.
He described the new MoU as a reinforcement of the partnership that will help both countries tackle the shared threat of transnational drug cartels.
As part of the renewed agreement, the UK will continue to provide technical assistance and resources to the NDLEA, ensuring that the agency remains at the forefront of combating drug trafficking in Nigeria and across the world.
