The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted 64 bags of cannabis sativa hidden inside a trailer carrying cement along the busy Zaria–Kano road, in what officials describe as a major breakthrough against drug trafficking in Kano State.
The seizure was carried out on February 2, 2026, by operatives of the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command attached to the Kiru Area Command. According to the agency, the operation followed intelligence-led surveillance and close monitoring of a suspicious consignment moving through the corridor.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics Sadiq Maigatari, the trailer was said to be loaded with Dangote cement and had departed Obajana in Kogi State en route to Mubi in Adamawa State when it was intercepted.
The driver of the cement truck was arrested on the spot and taken into custody. The NDLEA confirmed that the suspect is undergoing interrogation while investigations continue to uncover the wider drug trafficking network behind the concealed cannabis shipment.
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Commander of the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command, CN D.Y. Lawal described the interception of the 64 bags of cannabis on the Zaria–Kano road as the result of careful intelligence gathering and sustained operational focus.
“This seizure is the result of meticulous intelligence work and the dedication of our officers. The drugs were concealed within legitimate cargo and are believed to have been intended for distribution in Kano ahead of the Ramadan period. We will not allow drug traffickers to endanger the safety and spiritual wellbeing of our communities,” Lawal said.
He noted that the command, acting on the directives of the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), will intensify patrols, reinforce checkpoints and expand intelligence-driven operations across Kano State to curb the movement of illicit drugs.
As part of heightened enforcement ahead of Ramadan, the command has launched a special crackdown codenamed Operation Ramadan Mubarak. The initiative is designed to disrupt drug supply chains and dismantle drug joints before the fasting season.
At the launch of the operation on February 12, NDLEA operatives conducted coordinated raids in Kofar Mata, Danzaki Village, Fagge, Kofar Wambai and Rimi areas of Kano. The raids led to the arrest of 13 suspects, including two women.
The agency disclosed that assorted illicit substances were recovered during the raids, including cannabis sativa, diazepam, rubber solution and a locally abused substance known as “suck and die.”
The NDLEA urged residents of Kano to remain alert and support ongoing anti-drug efforts by reporting suspicious movements and drug-related activities through official channels. Officials stressed that community cooperation remains vital in sustaining the fight against drug trafficking on the Zaria–Kano road and across the state.
