ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, has publicly destroyed 12,233.946 kilograms, equivalent to about 12.234 tonnes, of assorted illicit drugs seized through intelligence-led operations across Kano State and at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The exercise, which took place on Monday, was supervised by the State Commander, CN Dahiru Yahaya Lawal, as part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and substance abuse in the state.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the command’s Media and Advocacy Officer, Sadiq Maigatari, and made available to journalists in Kano.
According to the statement, the destruction exercise involved narcotics and psychotropic substances intercepted and forfeited through sustained enforcement operations.
“The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Kano Strategic Command has publicly destroyed 12,233.946 kilograms, approximately 12.234 tonnes, of assorted illicit narcotics and psychotropic substances intercepted and forfeited through sustained intelligence-led operations across Kano State and at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport,” the statement read.
READ ALSO Kano: NDLEA Seizes 709.9kg Of Illicit Drugs
The command described the exercise as a significant step in the agency’s war against drug abuse and a demonstration of its commitment to removing harmful substances from circulation.
According to the statement, “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 agency explained that the destroyed drugs were recovered through intelligence-led operations, targeted raids and continuous enforcement activities conducted across the state.
Providing an update on its activities, the command disclosed that it had arrested more than 904 suspects between January 2026 and June 2026, comprising 869 men and 35 women.
“Since January 2026, the Kano Strategic Command has arrested over 904 suspects, seized more than 2.5 tonnes of assorted illicit substances, and secured over 54 convictions,” the statement added.
READ ALSO NDLEA Seize N4.8bn Illicit Drugs In Lagos
The command further revealed that several convicted offenders had received lengthy jail terms.
“Some offenders have received sentences of up to 15 years, evidence that arrests lead to prosecutions and prosecutions lead to consequences,” it stated.
Speaking during the exercise, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, said the public destruction of the illicit drugs underscored the government’s commitment to protecting communities from the harmful effects of narcotics.
“The public destruction demonstrates our firm resolve to deny criminal networks the ability to poison our communities,” the governor said.
Yusuf noted that the state government was complementing enforcement efforts with rehabilitation and reintegration programmes aimed at helping affected youths.
READ ALSO Nigerians Now Packaging Illicit Drugs In Semovita Packs – NDLEA
He highlighted initiatives such as visits to the Kiru Rehabilitation Centre, the establishment of the Anti-Illicit Drugs and Phone Snatching Committee, deployment of marshals to identified criminal hotspots and the implementation of the Safe Corridor Project designed to reintegrate young people into society.
The governor also disclosed that more than 400 youths had been arrested in recent operations, with many successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated, while hardened offenders were facing prosecution.
“We will continue to strengthen intelligence sharing, expand rehabilitation capacity, and provide logistical support to security agencies,” Yusuf added.