The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Kingdom’s Home Office International Operations (HOIO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster their joint efforts in combating transnational organized crime, particularly illicit drug trafficking between Nigeria and the UK.

The agreement was formalized on Monday, May 26, 2025, at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja.

During the signing ceremony, Mr. Ian Cunliffe, Regional Manager (West Africa) for HOIO, commended the longstanding cooperation between both agencies. He praised the foundation laid by his predecessor, Christopher Hawksfield, and affirmed his commitment to strengthening the bilateral partnership.

“I’d like to thank the Chairman for his time and the gracious welcome. The relationship between HOIO and the NDLEA has been truly productive, and I’m eager to build on that as we enter this new phase of cooperation,” Cunliffe said.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), described the MoU as more than a formal agreement, noting that it symbolized the deepening trust and shared commitment to tackling drug-related challenges.

“This MoU reflects our unwavering dedication to safeguarding the lives and futures of our nations,” Marwa stated.

He emphasized that the NDLEA’s enhanced operations are guided by the National Drug Control Master Plan, adding that the MoU provides a structured framework for intelligence and data exchange—aligned with global best practices, international conventions, and national laws.

“This partnership strengthens our ability to interdict suspects, dismantle drug trafficking networks, and trace illicit financial flows more effectively,” he noted.

Marwa further highlighted that enhanced intelligence-sharing will result in more robust enforcement outcomes, expressing confidence that the renewed collaboration will improve efforts to combat drug-related crimes and advance public health and safety in both countries.