In 2023, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State recorded significant anti-drug enforcement achievements, apprehending 1,016 suspects and seizing approximately nine tons of illicit substances. Mr. Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, the Commandant of the agency in Kano, shared these figures on Sunday, specifying that those arrested included 976 men and 40 women.

Further detailing the year’s accomplishments, Idris-Ahmad revealed that the agency successfully achieved 102 convictions, with 104 additional cases still active in court. The agency also managed to secure the forfeiture of five vehicles connected to drug activities. The drugs seized during this period included 6,098 kilograms of Indian hemp, 1,696 kilograms of codeine and tramadol, and 1,335 kilograms of substances such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.

In terms of community impact, Idris-Ahmad noted the agency’s rehabilitation of 70 individuals, assessment of 598 visa clearance applications, and the administration of 245 substance abuse tests, identifying six positive cases. Additionally, more than 5,000 people were sensitized on the risks of drug use, while 1,459 received professional counseling under the Drug Demand Reduction initiative.

Highlighting the agency’s dedication to Kano’s safety, the Commandant confirmed that over 15 tons of various narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were destroyed by the command in 2023. He emphasized the NDLEA’s ongoing mission to dismantle drug networks, rehabilitate affected individuals, secure justice through convictions, and prevent drug trade from taking root in communities across Kano State.