NDLEA, UK’s HOIO seal new agreement to strengthen Anti-Drug operations

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Home Office International Operations (HOIO) of the United Kingdom to reinforce the fight against transnational organized crime, especially drug trafficking and the movement of prohibited items between Nigeria and the UK.

At the signing event held on Monday, May 26, 2025, at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, the Regional Manager (West Africa) of HOIO, Mr. Ian Cunliffe, appreciated the productive collaboration between both agencies. He acknowledged the good working relationship his predecessor, Christopher Hawksfield, had built with the NDLEA and expressed readiness to sustain and deepen that partnership.

“I’d like to start by thanking the chairman for his time and warm welcome. The signing of this MoU today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our cooperation,” Cunliffe stated.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), while welcoming the move, noted the agency’s excellent partnership with HOIO and said he was confident it would continue under Cunliffe’s leadership.

Marwa described the agreement as more than a mere document, explaining it was a reaffirmation of both nations’ shared commitment to protecting lives and securing futures. He revealed that the MoU would enhance operational coordination, establish lawful frameworks for sharing personal data, intelligence, and operational information in line with international and national regulations.

“We believe stronger intelligence sharing results in stronger enforcement,” Marwa said. “This collaboration will improve our joint capacity to track suspects, dismantle trafficking networks, and trace illicit financial transactions with greater efficiency.”

The NDLEA boss stressed that Nigeria remained committed to strengthening its drug control initiatives under the National Drug Control Master Plan, and the latest agreement added another layer to those efforts.

The MoU is expected to boost the capacity of both countries to combat organized crime and ensure safer societies.