NDLEA Arrests 1,389 Suspects, Seizes 7,773kg of Illicit Drugs in Kano

Between January and December 2025, 7,773.06 kg of illegal substances were confiscated and 1,389 individuals were apprehended, according to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Kano Strategic Command.

In a statement released on Thursday in Kano by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, the State Commander, Mr. Dahiru Yahaya-Lawal, revealed this.

He said that the arrest was a component of the agency’s ongoing efforts to stop drug addiction and trafficking throughout the state.

He said that 1,346 men and 43 women were among the suspects who were detained for drug-related offenses during various operations.

Cannabis sativa, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and psychiatric substances were among the drugs confiscated during the period under review, according to Yahaya-Lawal.

He noted that the seizures demonstrated the command’s dedication to establishing a drug-free Kano State and characterized them as a significant blow to drug trafficking networks.

He clarified that throughout the period under review, 133 cases were still pending before the Federal High Court, despite the command securing 141 convictions of narcotics traffickers and users.

“A house obtained through drug trafficking proceeds was forfeited to the Federal Government, and two other properties were placed under interim forfeiture,” he said, adding that “four major drug dealers were sentenced to 33 years imprisonment.”

According to the commander, the agency took a comprehensive approach, combining programs for drug demand reduction and rehabilitation with strict enforcement.

According to him, 1,009 people—including 28 women—received brief drug intervention services after being referred by investigators and other stakeholders, and 94 people benefited from recovery.

“We ran 254 anti-drug campaigns about the perils of substance usage and trafficking in schools, marketplaces, streets, and communities throughout the state.

“Through workshops and awareness programs, the agency through the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy, sensitized over 86,939 persons, comprising 41,225 males and 45,714 females,” he continued.

Yahaya-Lawal stated that in order to protect Nigeria’s reputation overseas, the command also looked at 598 applications for visa clearance from the Kano State Government, people, and organizations.

He continued by saying that 527 people were tested for substance misuse, and 64 of them tested positive for different narcotics.

According to him, the command worked with other security and pertinent agencies and forwarded cases to the proper authorities, such as NAFDAC, EFCC, DSS, and Police, involving offenses like gunrunning, banditry, fraud, theft, impersonation, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals.

He thanked Abba Kabir-Yusuf, the governor of Kano State, and retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba-Marwa, the chairman and chief executive officer of the NDLEA, for their assistance.

Along with other security agencies, traditional institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the media, he also praised officers and men of the command for their contributions to the documented victories.

In order to destroy drug networks and guarantee a safer society, he promised that the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command would continue intelligence-led operations, collaboration, and community collaborations.