Reporting from Kano, Abbas Tijjani Madabo notes the ongoing crackdown by anti-narcotics operatives in the region.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 1,860 suspects and seized 5,409.814 kilogrammes of illicit drugs in Kano State between January and September 2026.
The agency also secured 89 convictions and filed 126 new cases in court during the nine-month period, while 135 cases remained pending before the Federal High Court.
The NDLEA Kano Strategic Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Media and Advocacy Officer, Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari.
It said the suspects included 92 females, while the seized substances comprised cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, psychotropic substances and other illicit drugs.
The command said it had also carried out about 1,700 counselling, treatment and rehabilitation interventions for people affected by substance abuse, alongside approximately 420 sensitisation programmes in schools and communities.
It said Operation Restore Order, launched under the directive of the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), led to the dismantling of about 35 identified drug joints and the arrest of more than 300 suspects.
The operation was part of efforts to disrupt drug distribution networks and improve community safety across the state.
The command also reported uncovering underground tunnels and caves in the Rimin Kebe area of Kano metropolis under Operation Sharar Mafaka
According to the statement, drug dealers used the underground locations to conceal and conduct illicit activities, highlighting the challenges faced by operatives in tackling established drug networks.
The State Commander, CN DY Lawal, commended Marwa for his leadership and commitment to the agency’s mandate.
Lawal urged residents to provide timely and credible information to the agency, stressing that public participation and collaboration were essential to tackling drug-related offences.
What You Should Know
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intensified its crackdown on illicit drug distribution in Kano State, successfully arresting 1,860 suspects and intercepting over 5.4 tonnes of prohibited substances within a nine-month period. Beyond mass arrests and court prosecutions, the operation has targeted and dismantled dangerous hideouts, including hidden underground tunnels used by dealers to evade law enforcement.
- Positive Impact: Enhanced safety and reduced criminality in local neighborhoods as drug distribution networks and dangerous joints are dismantled.
- Potential Concerns: The discovery of underground hideouts highlights the extreme measures and entrenched nature of local drug syndicates, posing ongoing security challenges for operatives.
