In a renewed commitment to intensify the fight against drug cartels and serious organized crimes, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom have joined forces to take the battle to the doorsteps of criminals. The signing of a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the agencies at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja marked a significant milestone in their collaborative efforts to disrupt transnational organized crime syndicates.
During the ceremony, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), emphasized the importance of aggressively seeking proactive ways to manage intelligence and enhance capabilities in order to effectively combat these criminal networks. He expressed optimism about the upcoming project with the rebranded Criminal Intelligence Task Force (CITF) of the NCA, stating that it would provide the necessary specialist capabilities to target and disrupt drug trafficking cartels not only in Nigeria but also in the West Africa sub-region and beyond.
The support and technical assistance provided by the Government of the United Kingdom were acknowledged by Marwa, who also commended the commendable efforts of the dedicated personnel of the UK NCA. He emphasized the need to tackle serious organized crimes head-on, as they pose a grave threat to lives and properties in both countries. The renewal of the MoU between NDLEA and NCA underscores their collaborative efforts to combat these criminal groups.
David Cater, the Regional Manager for West Africa at NCA, expressed great satisfaction and significance in renewing the MoU, highlighting its role in enabling both agencies to take the battle directly to the cartels. He expressed gratitude to the leadership of NDLEA for their support and confidence in the partnership, assuring continued support for the agency’s success in its assignments.
The joint commitment of NDLEA and NCA reflects the understanding that serious organized crime is a dynamic and complex phenomenon that transcends borders. By prioritizing proactive intelligence management and enhancing capabilities, the agencies aim to disrupt transnational organized crime syndicates effectively. The collaborative efforts showcased in the renewed MoU pave the way for a more coordinated and impactful approach to combating these criminal networks.
Key Highlights
- NDLEA and the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom reaffirm their joint efforts to combat drug cartels and serious organized crimes in Nigeria and the UK.
- The signing of a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the agencies marks a significant milestone in their collaborative approach to disrupt transnational organized crime syndicates.
- Both NDLEA and NCA express gratitude for the technical support and dedication provided by the UK government, highlighting the importance of proactive intelligence management and enhanced capabilities in combating serious organized crimes.
