…Agency arrests 904 suspects, secures 54 convictions since January as Kano govt ramps up rehabilitation efforts
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Kano Strategic Command, on Monday publicly destroyed 12,233.946 kilograms — about 12.234 tonnes — of assorted illicit drugs in a bid to stem drug abuse and trafficking in the state.
The exercise, led by State Commander CN Dahiru Yahaya Lawal, was disclosed in a statement by the command’s Media and Advocacy Officer, Sadiq Maigatari.
According to the command, the narcotics and psychotropic substances were intercepted and forfeited through sustained intelligence-led operations across Kano State and at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.
“The exercise marks a major milestone in the Agency’s War Against Drug Abuse and demonstrates NDLEA’s resolve to intercept, investigate, prosecute and permanently remove dangerous substances from circulation,” the statement said.
The command said enforcement efforts between January and June 2026 yielded significant results. Over 904 suspects, comprising 869 males and 35 females, were arrested. More than 2.5 tonnes of assorted illicit substances were seized, and the agency secured over 54 convictions during the period.
“Some offenders have received sentences of up to 15 years, evidence that arrests lead to prosecutions and prosecutions lead to consequences,” the command added.
Speaking at the destruction site, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said the action reflects the state’s determination to shield communities from the harms of illicit substances.
“The public destruction demonstrates our firm resolve to deny criminal networks the ability to poison our communities,” the governor stated.
Yusuf said the state is complementing enforcement with rehabilitation. Measures cited include visits to the Kiru Rehabilitation Centre, creation of the Anti-Illicit Drugs and Phone Snatching Committee, deployment of marshals to drug hotspots, and the Safe Corridor Project to reintegrate youths.
He added that more than 400 youths arrested in recent operations have been rehabilitated and reintegrated, while hardened offenders are being prosecuted.
“We will continue to strengthen intelligence sharing, expand rehabilitation capacity, and provide logistical support to security agencies,” Yusuf said.
