NDLEA Seizes 7.7 Tons (7,773kg) of Drugs, Arrests 1,389 in Kano

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

The disclosure was made in a statement issued on Thursday in Kano by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari. According to the statement, the Kano State Commander, Dahiru Yahaya-Lawal, said the arrests were part of sustained efforts to curb drug abuse and trafficking across the state.

Yahaya-Lawal explained that those arrested included 1,346 men and 43 women apprehended during various intelligence-led operations throughout the year.

He listed the seized substances as cannabis sativa, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other psychotropic drugs, describing the seizures as a significant setback for drug trafficking networks operating within the state.

The commander disclosed that the command secured 141 convictions during the period under review, while 133 cases are still pending before the Federal High Court.

According to him, four major drug traffickers were sentenced to a combined 33 years in prison. In addition, a house acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking was forfeited to the Federal Government, while two other properties were placed under interim forfeiture.

Yahaya-Lawal said the command adopted a balanced strategy that combined strict enforcement with drug demand reduction and rehabilitation initiatives. He revealed that 1,009 individuals, including 28 women, received brief drug intervention services after referrals from investigators and other stakeholders, while 94 persons benefited from recovery programmes.

He added that the command carried out 254 anti-drug sensitisation campaigns in schools, markets, streets, and communities across Kano State to educate the public on the dangers of substance abuse and trafficking.

As part of efforts to protect Nigeria’s international image, the NDLEA also screened 598 visa clearance applications submitted by the Kano State Government, individuals, and organisations.

The commander further disclosed that 527 persons were tested for substance abuse during the year, with 64 testing positive for various narcotics.Yahaya-Lawal said the command collaborated closely with other security and regulatory agencies, including NAFDAC, EFCC, DSS, and the Police, particularly in cases involving gunrunning, banditry, fraud, theft, impersonation, and counterfeit drugs.

He expressed appreciation to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, retired Brigadier General Mohamed Buba-Marwa, for their continued support.

The commander also commended other security agencies, traditional institutions, non-governmental organisations, the media, and officers of the command for their roles in achieving the recorded successes.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustained intelligence-driven operations, inter-agency collaboration, and community engagement to dismantle drug networks and promote public safety.

Through the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, Yahaya-Lawal said over 86,939 persons comprising 41,225 males and 45,714 females were sensitised through workshops and awareness programmes across the state.