The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano State Command, has handed over 450,000 intercepted Pregabalin capsules to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for forensic and regulatory analysis.
Pregabalin, originally prescribed for epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and anxiety, has in recent years become one of Nigeria’s most abused prescription drugs, often misused for its sedative and euphoric effects. Authorities say its abuse has fueled rising cases of addiction, mental health issues, and social unrest, particularly among youths in northern states.
The consignment was seized on the Kano–Hadejia road by an NDLEA patrol team. The pills, concealed in a van and packed in 60 cartons, had no ownership documentation.
NDLEA Kano Command spokesperson, Sadiq Maigatari, said the seizure was in line with the agency’s drive to curb the diversion of controlled medicines. “The seized items were brought to the NDLEA office for investigation; no legitimate ownership or documentation was presented for the consignment,” he noted.
The transfer of the drugs to NAFDAC followed directives from NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), based on a Memorandum of Understanding signed between both agencies in November 2024. The MoU seeks to strengthen inter-agency cooperation on intelligence sharing, forensic testing, and regulatory enforcement.
ACGN A.I. Ahmad, who leads NDLEA’s Kano Strategic Command, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to synchronised operations and stronger inter-agency collaboration.
Receiving the consignment, the NAFDAC coordinator commended NDLEA’s compliance with the MoU and pledged continued cooperation in investigations and regulatory measures.
The agency has intensified surveillance on major transit routes notorious for drug smuggling, with officials describing the latest seizure in Kano as a demonstration of the NDLEA–NAFDAC partnership in action.