By Rabiu Sanusi
The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling drug abuse and criminality as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) publicly destroyed over 12.2 tonnes of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances seized from traffickers across the state.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Faroukh, gave the assurance on Monday during the public destruction of the seized drugs organised by the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command.
Faroukh described illicit drug abuse as a major threat to peace, security and youth development, stressing that the state government remains committed to protecting the lives and wellbeing of residents.
He said the public destruction of the drugs sends a strong message that criminal elements would not be allowed to jeopardise the future of Kano’s younger generation.
“The Kano State Government is fully conscious of its responsibility to safeguard the lives and welfare of its people. We are determined to block every avenue through which criminals seek to undermine our society,” he said.
The SSG disclosed that the government had deployed more than 1,000 security personnel to 52 identified crime hotspots across the state, resulting in the arrest of several suspected drug traffickers and the seizure of large quantities of illicit substances.
He added that the government had also introduced the Kano Safe Corridor Initiative, a non-kinetic programme designed to counsel, rehabilitate, empower and reintegrate victims of drug abuse and crime into society.
Faroukh further revealed that the state government had donated three operational vehicles to the NDLEA to enhance its operations and pledged continued support for security agencies in strengthening public safety.
Earlier, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the destruction of the drugs as “justice made visible,” saying every kilogram destroyed represented lives saved and communities protected.
Represented at the event, Marwa warned drug trafficking syndicates that Nigeria would never surrender to criminal networks involved in the illicit drug trade.
He identified the diversion of controlled pharmaceutical products, including tramadol, codeine and pentazocine, into illegal markets as one of the country’s biggest drug challenges.
To address the problem, he announced the establishment of joint oversight committees between the NDLEA and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) nationwide to strengthen monitoring of regulated medicines and improve intelligence sharing.
Marwa also highlighted the agency’s Alternative Development Initiative, which supports former cannabis farmers to embrace legitimate agriculture, noting that the programme, which began in Ondo State, would be expanded to other parts of the country.
He appealed to tertiary institutions in Kano to adopt the NDLEA’s Drug Integrity Testing Programme to keep campuses free from illicit drugs and urged the Kano State Government to sustain its political and financial support for the agency.
The NDLEA boss commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Federal High Court, security agencies, civil society organisations and community leaders for their support in the fight against drug abuse.
Also speaking, Commander of the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command, CN Dahiru Yahaya Lawal, said the exercise symbolised the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting communities from the dangers of illicit drugs.
According to him, the agency destroyed 12,233.946 kilograms of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances seized through intelligence-led operations, targeted raids and airport interceptions.
He said 11,890.427 kilograms were confiscated within Kano State, while 343.519 kilograms were intercepted at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The destroyed substances included cannabis sativa, tramadol, codeine, pentazocine, diazepam, pregabalin, Exol-5, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, herbal mixtures and expired pharmaceutical products.
Lawal disclosed that between January and June 2026, the Kano Strategic Command arrested 904 suspects—869 males and 35 females—seized more than 2.5 tonnes of illicit substances and secured 54 convictions, with some offenders sentenced to up to 15 years imprisonment.
He added that the command dismantled several drug trafficking networks through intelligence-driven operations, including Operation Sharar Mafaka and Operation Ramadan Mubarak, which uncovered hidden tunnels and caves used by traffickers in the Rimin Kebe area.
The commander, however, stressed that enforcement alone would not eliminate drug abuse, urging traditional rulers, religious leaders, schools, parents, employers and other stakeholders to partner with the NDLEA in preventing drug abuse and supporting rehabilitation efforts.
The event was attended by senior government officials, members of the judiciary, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society organisations.