NDLEA busts Kano drug hotspots, arrests 52 suspects 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has ramped up its offensive against illicit drug networks in Kano, arresting 52 suspects and dismantling multiple drug dens in a coordinated two-day operation across the metropolis.

The operation, code-named “Sharar Mafaka,” was executed by the Agency’s Kano Strategic Command as part of a broader push to reclaim communities from drug-related activities and restore public safety.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, Sadiq Maigatari, the raids commenced on April 27, 2026, targeting over 20 identified drug hotspots. Initial enforcement efforts focused on areas such as Filin Idi, Tashar Rami, Fagge, Abattoir, and Farm Centre, where 15 suspects were arrested and quantities of illicit substances confiscated.

Building on that momentum, operatives extended the crackdown the following morning to locations including Hotoro Flyover, Mariri Park, Ramin Jirga Tishama, Yankaba Park, and the Audu Bako Secretariat axis. The second phase of the raids led to the arrest of 16 additional suspects, among them three women, while officers recovered assorted drugs and locally fabricated weapons.

Further evening operations on the same day covered Kwanar Ungogo, Titin Jajira, Tudun Bojuwa, and parts of Sabon Gari, resulting in 21 more arrests, including one female suspect. Authorities also seized various illicit substances and items believed to be linked to drug distribution activities.

In total, 52 suspects, four of them women, were apprehended, with exhibits secured as evidence.

The Kano Strategic Command Commander, CN DY Lawal, described the initiative as a “dislodge and occupy” strategy aimed at permanently clearing out drug hubs. He stated that operatives would not only dismantle criminal enclaves but also maintain a presence in affected areas until normalcy is restored.

“This is a sustained effort. We will continue to dislodge criminal elements, secure these locations, and ensure communities are safe,” Lawal said, urging residents to support the agency with credible information.

The latest crackdown aligns with the national anti-drug agenda championed by NDLEA Chairman, Mohammed Buba Marwa, which prioritises aggressive enforcement alongside community engagement to achieve a drug-free society.

Authorities say “Operation Sharar Mafaka” will continue in the coming weeks as part of a long-term strategy to dismantle drug distribution networks and curb substance abuse across Kano State.