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

• Agency Report

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, says it arrested 1,389 suspects and seized 7,773.06 kilogrammes of illicit drugs between January and December 2025.

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

He said the arrest was part of the agency’s sustained efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse across state.

According to him, the suspects comprised 1,346 males and 43 females, apprehended during various operations for drug-related offences.

Yahaya-Lawal said the drugs seized within the period under review included cannabis sativa, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and psychotropic substances.

He described the seizures as a major blow to drug trafficking networks, noting that they reflected the command’s commitment to creating a drug-free Kano State.

He explained that the command secured 141 convictions of drug traffickers and users, while 133 cases were still pending before the Federal High Court during the period under review.

He stated that “four major drug dealers were sentenced to 33 years imprisonment, while a house acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking was forfeited to the Federal Government and two other properties were placed under interim forfeiture.”

The commander said the agency adopted a holistic approach by combining tough enforcement with rehabilitation and drug demand reduction programmes.

He said 94 persons benefited from rehabilitation, while 1,009 individuals, including 28 females, received brief drug intervention services through referrals from investigators and other stakeholders.

“We conducted 254 anti-drug campaigns in schools, markets, streets and communities across the state on the dangers of substance abuse and trafficking.

“The agency through the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, sensitised over 86,939 persons which comprising 41,225 males and 45,714 females through workshops and awareness programmes” he added.

Yahaya-Lawal noted that the command also investigated 598 visa clearance applications from the Kano State Government, individuals and institutions to safeguard Nigeria’s image abroad.

He added that 527 substance abuse tests on individuals were conducted, with 64 persons testing positive for various drugs.

He said the command collaborated with other security and relevant agencies and transferred cases involving offences such as gunrunning, banditry, fraud, theft, impersonation and counterfeit drugs to the appropriate authorities, including NAFDAC, EFCC, DSS, and Police.

He commended the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba-Marwa, and the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir-Yusuf, for their support.

He also lauded officers and men of the command, as well as other security agencies, traditional institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations and the media, for their roles in the successes recorded.

He assured that the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command would sustain intelligence-led operations, synergy and community partnerships to dismantle drug networks and ensure a safer society. NAN