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, Mr Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari.
Yahaya-Lawal said the arrests were part of the agency’s sustained efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse across the state.
According to him, the suspects comprised 1,346 males and 43 females, apprehended during various operations for drug-related offenses.
He said the drugs seized during the period included cannabis sativa, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other psychotropic substances.
The commander described the seizures as a major blow to drug trafficking networks, noting that they reflected the command’s commitment to making Kano State drug-free.
He explained that the command secured 141 convictions of drug traffickers and users, while 133 cases were still pending before the Federal High Court within the period under review.
Yahaya-Lawal said four major drug dealers were sentenced to a total of 33 years’ imprisonment, while a house acquired with proceeds of drug trafficking was forfeited to the Federal Government. He added that two other properties were placed under interim forfeiture.
The commander said the agency adopted a holistic approach by combining strict enforcement with rehabilitation and drug demand reduction programmes.
According to him, 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 to sensitise the public on the dangers of substance abuse and trafficking.
“Through the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, the agency sensitized over 86,939 persons, comprising 41,225 males and 45,714 females, through workshops and awareness programmes,” he said.
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 were conducted on individuals, with 64 persons testing positive for various drugs.
The commander said the NDLEA collaborated with other security and relevant agencies and transferred cases involving offenses such as gunrunning, banditry, fraud, theft, impersonation and counterfeit drugs to appropriate authorities, including NAFDAC, EFCC, DSS and the 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 organizations and the media, for their contributions to the successes recorded.
Yahaya-Lawal assured that the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command would continue to sustain intelligence-led operations, strengthen synergy and deepen community partnerships to dismantle drug networks and ensure a safer society.
