According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s Kano Strategic Command, between January and December 2025, 1,389 people were detained and 7,773.06 kg of illegal substances were collected.
This was revealed by the State Commander, Mr. Dahiru Yahaya-Lawal, in a statement released on Thursday in Kano by Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, the Command’s Public Relations Officer.
He said that the arrest was a result of the agency’s ongoing efforts to stop drug usage and trafficking throughout the state.
He said that 1,346 men and 43 women were among the suspects who were detained during several operations for drug-related offenses.
Cannabis sativa, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and psychiatric substances were among the drugs found throughout the review period, according to Yahaya-Lawal.
He stated 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 drug users and dealers.
“Four major drug dealers were sentenced to 33 years in prison, while two other properties were placed under interim forfeiture and a house obtained through drug trafficking proceeds was forfeited to the Federal Government,” he said.
According to the commander, the agency used a comprehensive strategy that included programs for drug demand reduction, rehabilitation, and strict enforcement.
According to him, 1,009 people, including 28 women, received brief drug intervention services as a result of recommendations from investigators and other stakeholders, while 94 people benefited from rehabilitation.
“We carried out 254 anti-drug programs about the risks of substance misuse and trafficking in schools, marketplaces, streets, and communities throughout the state.
“Through the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy, the agency sensitized over 86,939 people through workshops and awareness programs, which included 41,225 males and 45,714 females,” he continued.
In order to protect Nigeria’s reputation overseas, Yahaya-Lawal stated that the command also looked into 598 visa clearance applications from the Kano State Government, people, and organizations.
He went on to say 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 to transfer cases to the proper authorities, including 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.
He also praised traditional institutions, non-governmental organizations, the media, officers and soldiers of the command, and other security services for their contributions to the documented victories.
In order to break up drug networks and guarantee a better society, he promised that the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command would continue intelligence-led operations, collaboration, and community collaborations.
