Follow Us on Google
By Desmond Mgboh, Kano
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency [NDLEA], Kano Strategic Command, has publicly destroyed 12.234 tonnes of assorted illicit narcotics and psychotropic substances in Kano.
The drugs were intercepted and forfeited through intelligence-led operations across Kano State and at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport [MAKIA].
According to the Command, 11,890.427 kg of the substances were seized by the Kano State Strategic Command adding that they include 7,799.314 kg of Cannabis Sativa, 2,781.153 kg of psychotropic substances, including Codeine, Tramadol, Pentazocine, and Diazepam , 375.641 kg of Exol-5 , 367.870 kg of Pregabalin, 270 kg of other substances of abuse and 200 kg of herbal mixtures.
Others were 79 kg of expired drugs, 14.600 kg of Quinalbarbitone Sodium BP 100mg, 2.030 kg of heroin , 0.446 kg of cocaine, 0.127 kg* of methamphetamine and 0.246 kg of pemoline tablets
An additional 343.519 kg of destroyed substances were seized at MAKIA, comprising of 322 kg of tramadol, 11 kg of heroin, 6 kg of herbal mixtures
and 4.499 kg of cocaine
In a statement on Monday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Mohammed Maigatari, said the seizures resulted from intelligence-led operations, targeted raids, and sustained enforcement across the state. Investigations, he noted, uncovered sophisticated concealment methods, including tunnels and caves in the Rimin Kebe area.
Maigatari added that since January this year, the Command has arrested 904 suspects — 869 male and 35 female — seized over 2.5 tonnes of illicit substances, and secured more than 54 convictions while some offenders received sentences of up to 15 years in prison.
Represented by Deputy Director General Dingi, Marwa described the public destruction as “justice made visible” and said it sent a clear signal to drug cartels.
He added that the exercise reflected the agency’s strategy of combining enforcement with supply-chain oversight, alternative livelihoods for farmers, and drug integrity testing on campuses.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, said the destruction demonstrates the state’s resolve to block criminal networks from poisoning communities.
He stressed that enforcement would be paired with rehabilitation, citing the Kiru Rehabilitation Centre, the Anti-Illicit Drugs and Phone Snatching Committee, marshals deployed to hotspots, and the Safe Corridor Project for youth reintegration.
