UK Home Office- Partnership with Nigeria on Drug War Yielding Results

In a recent interview, Victoria Pullen, Head of the UK Home Office International Operations (HOIO), spoke about the fruitful collaboration between the UK and Nigeria in combating substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. This partnership has been notably successful as indicated by the recent achievements of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Pullen, accompanied by her colleague Kristoffer Hawksfield, visited Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and CEO of NDLEA, in Abuja to renew the Memorandum of Understanding between HOIO and NDLEA. She expressed appreciation for the “excellent cooperation” and highlighted the scale of the global drug trafficking issue. “It’s evident from the recent successes and the volume of illicit commodities that your teams are intercepting,” she remarked, indicating that their joint efforts are clearly making a difference.

She emphasized the importance of adaptability and cooperation, noting, “The willingness of your teams to work with us and do things differently is leading to these successes. We truly appreciate the engagement we’ve had with your teams.”

Pullen also pointed out the commissioning of the NDLEA Marine Command Headquarters, built and donated by the UK government, as a pivotal moment in their partnership. “We look forward to seeing the benefits of that investment in Nigeria, helping to prevent drugs from infiltrating your society and contributing globally,” she explained.

Marwa responded with gratitude toward the UK government for its continued support, including the recent establishment of the Marine Command Headquarters and an operational facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. “Meeting Ms. Pullen in person allows me to convey our profound appreciation for the tremendous assistance we’ve received from the Home Office International Operations and the British Government,” he stated.

He highlighted that their partnership has grown significantly since the reform of NDLEA began three years ago, with HOIO being one of their key international partners.

However, Marwa also urged for more support, saying, “We continue to seek your assistance in our efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking and tackle transnational criminal organizations.” He expressed optimism about the newly renewed MOU, which he believes will enhance their collaborative efforts. “In just the past three years, we’ve made over 52,000 arrests and seized more than 8,000 tons of illicit substances, alongside over 9,000 convictions,” he shared, emphasizing the significant impact of UK support on their operations. “Given the traffic between the UK and Nigeria, it’s crucial we share intelligence and actionable data to strengthen our relationship further, and I’m excited about signing this new MoU today.”