NDLEA strengthens maritime operations, sends officers on advanced training in UK

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has strengthened its maritime surveillance and interdiction capabilities following the successful completion of a week 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 between October 19 and 25 2025, under the guidance of Mr Errol Flynn Macdonald of the UK Home Office International Operations.

They visited key British maritime and border enforcement facilities, where they were exposed to valuable international best practices in maritime intelligence, port security and inter-agency coordination.

The second part of the training on Advanced Container Targeting was conducted for additional 19 NDLEA officers in Lagos between November 10 and 13, 2025 by HOIO Intelligence team.

The UK Home Office International Operations sponsored both the UK training tour and the Lagos residential five-day training.

The NDLEA delegation held extensive 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, among others.

During the engagements, the team received comprehensive presentations by the UK National Deep Rummaging Team, which showcased modern techniques and procedures for vessel rummage operations aimed at detecting and preventing illicit drug trafficking through sea routes.

The officers also witnessed live demonstration sessions at Tilbury and Felixstowe Ports, where inward-bound containers from Nigeria were subjected to layered inspection and risk-based screening procedures.

Another key highlight of the visit was the introduction and demonstration of the Advanced Sea Searcher System, a state-of-the-art underwater detection technology used for locating concealed contraband and drug consignments beneath ships and port structures.