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NDLEA destroys over 12 tonnes of illicit drugs in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, on Monday destroyed 12,233.946 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and psychotropic substances intercepted during intelligence-led operations across Kano State and at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.
KANO FOCUS reports that the public destruction exercise, led by the Commander of the Kano Strategic Command, Dahiru Yahaya Lawal, was described as a major milestone in the Agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign and a demonstration of its commitment to removing dangerous substances from circulation.
According to the Command, 11,890.427 kilograms of the destroyed exhibits were seized within Kano State, while 343.519 kilograms were intercepted at the international airport.
The destroyed narcotics included 7,799.314 kilograms of cannabis sativa, 2,781.153 kilograms of psychotropic substances such as codeine, tramadol, pentazocine and diazepam, 375.641 kilograms of Exol-5, 367.870 kilograms of pregabalin, 270 kilograms of other substances of abuse, 200 kilograms of herbal mixtures, 79 kilograms of expired drugs, as well as smaller quantities of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, pemoline tablets and quinal barbitone sodium.
Airport seizures included 322 kilograms of tramadol, 11 kilograms of heroin, six kilograms of herbal mixtures and 4.499 kilograms of cocaine.
The Command said the seizures resulted from intelligence-led operations, targeted raids and sustained enforcement activities, including Operations Sharar Mafaka and Ramadan Mubarak.
Investigations, it added, uncovered sophisticated concealment methods, including tunnels and caves in the Rimin Kebe area of Kano, highlighting the determination of drug traffickers to evade detection.
The Command disclosed that since January 2026, it has arrested more than 904 suspects, comprising 869 males and 35 females, seized over 2.5 tonnes of assorted illicit substances and secured more than 54 convictions. Some convicted offenders, it said, received prison sentences of up to 15 years.
While emphasizing that enforcement remains a critical aspect of the anti-drug campaign, Lawal noted that the Agency also prioritises prevention, treatment and community engagement.
He called on security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, educational institutions, employers and families to collaborate in combating drug abuse and trafficking.
The commander also acknowledged the leadership of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, for providing strategic direction to the Agency.
He expressed appreciation to the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for supporting the Agency’s operations, including erosion-control interventions in the Rimin Kebe area, which he said denied traffickers access to safe hideouts.
Lawal also commended the judges of the Federal High Court under the leadership of S. M. Shu’aibu for timely adjudication of drug-related cases and paid tribute to the outgoing Director of Operations and General Investigations, Ahmad Sulaiman Ningi, for his service to the Agency.
Representing the NDLEA Chairman at the exercise, Ningi described the public destruction of the drugs as “justice made visible,” saying it sends a strong message to drug cartels that the Agency remains committed to disrupting trafficking networks and protecting communities.
He said the NDLEA would continue to strengthen enforcement, monitor drug supply chains, promote alternative livelihoods for farmers and expand drug integrity testing in educational institutions.
The Kano State Governor, represented at the event, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to complementing enforcement with rehabilitation initiatives. He cited interventions such as visits to the Kiru Rehabilitation Centre, the Anti-Illicit Drugs and Phone Snatching Committee, the deployment of marshals to identified hotspots and the Safe Corridor Project aimed at reintegrating affected youths into society.
According to the governor, more than 400 youths have been arrested in the state’s anti-drug operations, with many rehabilitated and reintegrated, while major drug dealers continue to face prosecution.
The NDLEA Kano Strategic Command reiterated its commitment to sustaining the fight against illicit drugs until Kano and Nigeria are free from the menace of drug trafficking and abuse.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in separate operations targeting drug peddling and thuggery in Panshekara and Kunchi/Ghari Local Government Area.
KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to the statement, the operations, conducted on September 9, 2026, were part of the command’s intelligence-driven efforts to tackle drug abuse, thuggery and violent crimes across the state.
It said operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Panshekara Police Division, acting on credible intelligence at about 2:30 p.m., intercepted eight suspects, including a 21-year-old man identified as Samson Yakubu of Samegu Quarters, at a suspected criminal hotspot.
A search of the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of 15 Pregabalin capsules, five Diazepam tablets, 10 Exol tablets and some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said the suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation, while investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related operation conducted between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, operatives of the Kunchi/Ghari Division carried out a coordinated market patrol and raid at Matanfada Market.
The command said the area had been identified as a place where youths allegedly intimidate traders and residents during market sessions.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Abdullahi Isah of Dustin; Haruna Isah of Daqarawa Village; Habu Badamasi of Dan Taimu Village; Gambo Ya’u of Kura Village; and Abubakar Dahiru of Farau Village.
The police said investigation was ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices, while exhibits recovered during the operation had been taken into custody as evidence.
CP Bakori commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response, assuring residents that the command would sustain its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and other violent crimes.
“In line with the IGP’s policing vision and our mandate to ensure a safe and secure Kano, we will continue to be proactive,” the commissioner said.
“We are sending a clear message to criminal elements that Kano State will not be a breeding ground for their activities.”
The command also appreciated members of the public, community leaders and vigilante groups for providing information that aided the operations.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
The command said all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The funeral prayer for the late Shehu Kabir Bayero, Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Dorayi, was held on Thursday evening at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s Palace.
KANO FOCUS reports that the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Khamsus Salawati Mosque, Kofar Kudu, Malam Bello, and attended by hundreds of people from different parts of Kano State.
Among those who attended were the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk; representative of the Emir of Kano, Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Matawalle; Chief of Staff to the Kano State Government House, Dr Sani Wali; as well as district heads and members of the Muslim community.
Shehu Kabir Bayero died in a hospital in Egypt following a period of illness. He is survived by his wives, children and other relatives.
Until his death, the late Bayero served as Commissioner of Police in Gombe and Osun states before retiring from the Nigeria Police Force.
Following his retirement, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, appointed him as the Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Takai Local Government Area after the death of his father, the late Kabir Bayero, an elder brother of the former emir.
He later served as District Head of Gwarzo.
Due to his wealth of experience in security matters, the current Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, subsequently reassigned him as District Head of Dorayi, where he was expected to contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the area.
The late district head was remembered for his service to the state and his experience in security and traditional administration.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has held a planning meeting on the implementation and effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries, agencies and development partners working in the education sector.
According to Malam Naziru Sirajo, deputy director EMIS and statistics in the Ministry of Education, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the current status of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano and developing a coordinated plan to strengthen its implementation, content utilisation, course completion, monitoring of learners’ progress and certification.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide Nigerian children and young people with access to curriculum-aligned educational content, including lessons, learning materials and assessments.
The platform is also designed to support learning continuity, including for learners facing limited or intermittent internet connectivity, while providing teachers and education stakeholders with digital resources to complement classroom instruction.
In Kano, the initiative is expected to strengthen awareness and utilisation of digital learning, while building the capacity of master trainers and technical teams to support schools, teachers and learners in using the platform effectively.
The effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport is expected to expand access to quality digital learning resources, promote independent learning, strengthen digital literacy and support improved learning outcomes and greater equity in access to educational opportunities.
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