The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has stepped up its offensive against drug trafficking in Kano and beyond, arresting multiple suspects, including a 60-year-old grandmother and a major distributor of opioids.
In a statement issued by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, the agency revealed that operatives, acting on intelligence, intercepted a Toyota Sienna packed with opioid consignments along the Kano-Ringim road in Gumel, Jigawa State, during a late-night operation around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23.
Two individuals, Abba Ibrahim, 28, and Shuaibu Umar, 29, were apprehended at the scene.
Recovered from the vehicle were 200,000 tablets of tramadol (250mg) and 217,500 pregabalin capsules.
A rapid follow-up raid took NDLEA operatives to Mil Tara, Layin Technical in Kano, where they arrested 41-year-old Jamilu Muhammad at his home. Searches led to the discovery of an additional 1,584,000 tramadol pills hidden inside an 18-seater Nissan bus and within a room in the house.
In total, the agency recovered a staggering 2,001,500 pills of opioids.
Babafemi described the seizure as a heavy setback for drug cartels smuggling drugs between Kano, Yobe, and neighboring Niger Republic.
Separately, in Kumbotso LGA’s Samegu area, NDLEA officers arrested 60-year-old Safiya Shamsu, who was caught with 5.6 kilograms of skunk, a potent variety of cannabis.
Another suspect, 35-year-old Muntari Labaran, was detained in Yelwa, Dala LGA, after authorities found him with 100 litres of codeine syrup.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), lauded the commitment of the operatives involved, highlighting their contribution to the agency’s twin efforts in reducing drug supply and curbing demand.
He also praised officers nationwide for their roles in advancing the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campign.
