The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, on Monday publicly destroyed 12,233.946 kilograms (12.234 tonnes) of assorted illicit drugs and psychotropic substances seized during intelligence-led operations across Kano State and at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The public destruction exercise, led by the Commander of the Kano Strategic Command, CN Dahiru Yahaya Lawal, marked a significant milestone in the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign and underscored its determination to disrupt drug trafficking networks through sustained enforcement, prosecution and the destruction of confiscated narcotics.
The destroyed exhibits comprised 11,890.427 kilograms recovered by the Kano Strategic Command and 343.519 kilograms intercepted at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The narcotics destroyed included 7,799.314 kilograms of cannabis sativa, 2,781.153 kilograms of psychotropic substances such as codeine, tramadol, pentazocine and diazepam, 375.641 kilograms of Exol-5, 367.870 kilograms of pregabalin, 270 kilograms of other substances of abuse, 200 kilograms of herbal mixtures, 79 kilograms of expired drugs, 14.6 kilograms of Quinal Barbitone Sodium BP 100mg, 13.03 kilograms of heroin, 4.945 kilograms of cocaine, 0.127 kilograms of methamphetamine and 0.246 kilograms of Pemolin tablets.
According to the command, the seizures resulted from intelligence-led operations, targeted raids and sustained enforcement campaigns, including Operations Sharar Mafaka and Ramadan Mubarak.
The agency disclosed that investigations uncovered sophisticated concealment methods employed by drug traffickers, including tunnels and caves in the Rimin Kebe area of Kano, highlighting the growing sophistication of criminal networks and the need for coordinated law enforcement efforts.
Providing an operational update, the command said it had arrested more than 904 suspects comprising 869 men and 35 women since January 2026. During the period, officers seized over 2.5 tonnes of assorted illicit substances and secured more than 54 convictions, with some offenders receiving prison sentences of up to 15 years.
The NDLEA reiterated that while enforcement remains a critical component of its anti-drug campaign, lasting success would require stronger collaboration among government institutions, communities and families.
The agency urged security agencies to sustain pressure on drug trafficking networks, while calling on traditional and religious leaders to intensify public enlightenment, schools to strengthen drug education programmes, employers to create opportunities for young people and parents to remain vigilant in protecting their children from substance abuse.
Commander Lawal attributed the command’s achievements to the leadership of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, and expressed appreciation to the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for its operational support, particularly the erosion-control intervention in Rimin Kebe, which eliminated hideouts previously exploited by traffickers.
He also commended the Federal High Court in Kano, led by Justice S.M. Shu’aibu, for timely adjudication of drug-related cases, and paid tribute to the outgoing Director of Operations and General Investigations, DCGN Ahmad Sulaiman Ningi, for his contributions to the agency.
Representing the NDLEA Chairman at the event, DCGN Ningi described the public destruction of the narcotics as “justice made visible,” saying the exercise demonstrated the agency’s commitment to preventing seized drugs from returning to society.
He said the exercise sent a strong warning to drug cartels while reaffirming the agency’s commitment to protecting communities through aggressive law enforcement, tighter supply-chain oversight, alternative livelihood programmes for farmers and Drug Integrity Testing initiatives in educational institutions.
The Kano State Government also reaffirmed its commitment to combating drug abuse through a combination of law enforcement and rehabilitation. It highlighted ongoing interventions, including the Kiru Rehabilitation Centre, the Anti-Illicit Drugs and Phone Snatching Committee, the deployment of marshals to identified hotspots and the Safe Corridor Project aimed at reintegrating vulnerable youths into society.
According to the state government, more than 400 youths have been arrested under its anti-drug initiatives, with many rehabilitated and reintegrated, while major drug traffickers continue to face prosecution.
The NDLEA said it would sustain intelligence-driven operations until drug trafficking networks are dismantled, reaffirming its resolve to rid Kano State and the country of the menace of illicit drugs.
