Nigeria NDLEA logs multi-state drug seizures arrests

In a series of operations across multiple states, Nigerian anti-narcotics authorities have reported significant seizures of illicit drugs and hundreds of arrests over the past year, highlighting both the scale of the challenge and a strategic shift by traffickers toward domestic production. The announcements were made this week by state commands of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to mark the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

In Sokoto State, Commander Mustapha M. Gidado reported on Friday that his command seized 3.9 tonnes of drugs and arrested 599 suspects in the past year. The seizures included 1.2 tonnes of cannabis sativa, 127.5 kilograms of psychotropic substances, and 2.5 tonnes of codeine-based cough syrup. The command secured 24 convictions, with 33 cases pending, and provided counselling and rehabilitation services to 65 persons.

Similarly, the Kwara State Command announced on Wednesday that it arrested 985 suspects and seized over 5.7 tonnes of illicit substances between June 2025 and June 2026, securing 68 convictions. State Commandant Fatima Popoola identified Kwara as a major transit route due to its location between...