By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Katsina State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested no fewer than 1,018 suspects and secured the conviction of 87 drug traffickers across the state in 2025.
The State Narcotics Commander, Mr. Ismail Danmalam, disclosed this on Tuesday in Katsina while briefing journalists on the command’s operational activities over the past year.
He revealed that 86 other suspects are currently facing trial, noting that the arrests comprised 992 males and 26 females.
According to Danmalam, the command also seized over 2.4 tonnes of illicit drugs during the period under review. He attributed the achievements to a strategic balance between supply reduction (kinetic) and demand reduction (non-kinetic) operations.
“These operations led to the seizure of substantial quantities of illicit substances, including 1,667.747 kilograms of cannabis, 12.348 kilograms of codeine, and 793.66 kilograms of other psychotropic substances,” he said.
Meanwhile, the commander revealed that the command intensified its preventive efforts by conducting 203 sensitisation and advocacy programmes, which reached 75,135 beneficiaries across schools, communities and institutions in the state.
He added that 451 individuals received counselling, while 58 drug-dependent persons were admitted for rehabilitation, stressing that the efforts reflect NDLEA’s commitment to prevention, treatment and reintegration.
Danmalam commended the NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd.), for providing motivation and leadership that contributed to the command’s performance. However, he acknowledged that logistical challenges continue to hamper operational efficiency and appealed to the government and other stakeholders for increased support.
He further urged communities to actively participate in the fight against drug abuse by sharing intelligence, promoting advocacy and embracing community policing. The briefing also featured the decoration of 61 NDLEA personnel recently promoted within the Katsina State Command.
