The United Kingdom says it will provide £1 million worth of support to enhance the operations of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) in 2022 and additional provision over a period of three years.
Nick Fowler, the director of home office international operations, said this when he led a team on a courtesy visit to Buba Marwa, the NDLEA chairman, at the headquarters on Friday in Abuja.
In a statement by Femi Babafemi, director, media and advocacy of the NDLEA, Fowler commended Marwa for the success that the agency has recorded under his leadership.
Fowler said the agency had been able to play a significant role by intercepting loads of illicit drugs going to the UK.
He said his office was well positioned to share intelligence with NDLEA.
Read also: Drug abuse among youths at alarming rate, NDLEA warns
He also assured that the British government was willing to enhance NDLEA’s operations with provision of strategic equipment, logistics and training.
These, he said, were part of the £1million plan, to be implemented in 2022 with additional support over the next three years.
Earlier, Marwa expressed appreciation to the visiting UK team and the British government for the past support to NDLEA. He said with the expansion of the operations, command structure and staff strength of the agency, he would need more support and collaboration from the UK government.
He stated that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has been supportive to the agency in critical areas.
Marwa, therefore, asked for strengthened intelligence sharing collaboration, provision of essential operational logistics and training among others from the UK government.
The UK team was made up of Julie Hartfree, Africa regional director, and Kris Hawksfield, West Africa regional manager, both of the home office international operations. NAN
