Nigerian Army troops and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives have arrested three suspected drug peddlers in Katsina State, accused of supplying illicit substances to terrorists and criminal elements. The arrests took place on Tuesday, around 5:15 p.m., in Kagara village, located in Kafur Local Government Area. The joint operation was carried out by soldiers from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi, stationed in Kafur, alongside NDLEA personnel from the Malumfashi Area Command. The coordinated effort targeted suspected drug distribution hubs in the community as part of broader measures to disrupt criminal supply chains.
The suspects, identified as Mohammed Lawan, 34; Muhawiya Haruna, 40; and Junadata Usman, 40, were apprehended during the operation. Security sources, citing information shared by analyst Zagazola Makama on X, confirmed that the suspects were linked to the distribution of hard drugs and intoxicating substances to terrorists and other criminal networks operating in Kafur and surrounding areas. The investigation is ongoing, but preliminary findings suggest the suspects played a direct role in fueling criminal activities through drug supply.
Items seized during the raid included substances believed to be cannabis sativa, tramadol capsules, pregabalin, diazepam, Extol-5 tablets, rubber solution, and a locally produced spirit known as “Suck and Die.” These substances are commonly used for both recreational and illicit purposes, and their distribution to armed groups poses a serious threat to national security. The recovery of such materials underscores the growing link between drug trafficking and insurgency in northern Nigeria.
Following their arrest, the suspects and all recovered exhibits were handed over to the NDLEA Area Command in Malumfashi for further interrogation and legal proceedings. The agency will determine the next steps, including possible prosecution under Nigeria’s drug control laws. The operation reflects a sustained effort by security agencies to dismantle logistics networks that support terrorism and other criminal enterprises across Katsina State.
This crackdown comes amid increased security operations in the region aimed at curbing the spread of illegal drugs and their use by violent groups. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of inter-agency collaboration in tackling the root causes of insecurity. The arrests highlight the government’s commitment to addressing drug-related crimes that contribute to instability in the North-West region. As investigations proceed, the case may reveal deeper connections between drug networks and armed groups, prompting further action to strengthen security in the area.
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