NDLEA Nabs 60-Year-Old Grandmother: Major Drug Supplier Uncovered in Kano

The NDLEA has intensified its campaign against drug smuggling in Kano and surrounding areas, resulting in several arrests such as those of a 60-year-old grandmother and an influential opioid supplier.

According to a statement released by Femi Babafemi, who serves as the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, law enforcement officials seized a Toyota Sienna carrying illegal opioids following an intelligence-driven intervention. This took place during a nighttime raid at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, along the Kano-Ringim highway in Gumel, located within Jigawa State.

At the location, two people—Abba Ibrahim, aged 28, and Shuaibu Umar, who is 29 years old—were taken into custody.

Recovered from the vehicle were 200,000 tablets of tramadol (250mg) and 217,500 pregabalin capsules.

A rapid follow-up raid took NDLEA operatives to Mil Tara, Layin Technical in Kano, where they arrested 41-year-old Jamilu Muhammad at his home. Searches led to the discovery of an additional 1,584,000 tramadol pills hidden inside an 18-seater Nissan bus and within a room in the house.

Altogether, the agency managed to recover an astonishing 2,001,500 opioid pills.

Babafemi indicated that the seizure represents a significant obstacle for drug cartels involved in transporting narcotics among Kano, Yobe, and the adjacent nation of Niger.

In the Samegu region of Kumbotso LGA, law enforcement from the NDLEA apprehended 60-year-old Safiya Shamsu. She was found in possession of 5.6 kilograms of skunk, which is a strong form of cannabis.

A second suspect, 35-year-old Muntari Labaran, was apprehended in Yelwa within the Dala LGA when officials discovered he had 100 liters of codeine syrup in his possession.

The NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the dedication of the personnel engaged, emphasizing their role in the organization's dual approach aimed at decreasing drug supply and controlling consumption.

He similarly commended law enforcement officials across the country for their contributions to the campaign against drug abuse known as WADA.

NDLEA apprehends 60-year-old grandmother, key drug distributor in Kano