The Katsina State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has convicted 87 drug traffickers and arrested 1,018 suspects in 2025, the state narcotics commander, Mr. Isma’il Danmalam, has disclosed.
Danmalam made the announcement on Tuesday in Katsina while briefing journalists on the command’s activities during the year. He said 86 suspects are still undergoing trial, adding that of those arrested, 992 were males and 26 were females.
According to him, the command seized more than 2.4 tonnes of illicit drugs, including 1,667.747 kg of cannabis, 12.348 kg of codeine, and 793.66 kg of other psychotropic substances.
The commander commended NDLEA Chairman Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa for motivating officers to achieve these results, noting that the successes reflected a balanced application of supply reduction and demand reduction strategies.
In addition to enforcement operations, the command conducted 203 sensitisation and advocacy programmes, reaching 75,135 beneficiaries across schools, communities, and institutions. About 451 individuals received counselling, while 58 clients were admitted for rehabilitation.
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“These efforts demonstrate NDLEA’s commitment to prevention, treatment, and reintegration,” Danmalam said.
He, however, acknowledged logistical challenges that have affected operational efficiency and appealed to stakeholders and government to provide support to enhance the command’s effectiveness.
Danmalam also called on communities to assist with information sharing, advocacy, and community policing to sustain the fight against drugs. During the briefing, he decorated some of the 61 personnel recently promoted within the command.