NDLEA: Cannabis worth billions of Naira seized in one week in Kwara

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State Command, have seized a total of 2.318 tonnes of cannabis, with a street value estimated in billions of naira, in one week.

Speaking with journalists while presenting the seizures to stakeholders in Ilorin on Tuesday, the NDLEA State Commander, Fatima Abiola Popoola, said four suspects arrested in connection with the seizures had concealed the drugs among sacks of sawdust.

The commander said the drugs were intercepted during various operations carried out across the state, particularly along the Offa and Omu Aran axis of the state command, at about 3:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.

“This is one of the biggest seizures we’ve made in a single week in recent times, and the street value of what we seized runs into at least billions of naira. This shows just how serious drug use and trafficking have become in Kwara State,” she said.

The NDLEA boss said one of the suspects, a driver, was caught with 1.2 tonnes of cannabis, another with 300 kg of cannabis, while the remaining 720 kg seizure was linked to two suspects.

The drugs were reportedly concealed in Canter trucks and disguised as ordinary goods with sacks of sawdust to deceive NDLEA officials at checkpoints.

“A J5 vehicle was checked, which appeared to be empty, but we found it loaded with cannabis. These operations took place mostly between 3:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., when traffickers often move to avoid detection,” she said.

The NDLEA boss, who said drugs are at the root of many criminal activities, added: “No sane person wakes up to commit inhumane acts or violent crimes. Most times, there is drug influence behind it.”

She noted that the security challenges in such places as Kaiama, Chikanda, Patigi, Edu and Omu Aran are drug-related.

She also revealed that while only two tonnes of drugs were seized in the whole of 2024, “the command has already seized over 2,000 kilograms between January and August 2025”.

Despite the progress, the NDLEA command is facing several challenges, particularly with mobility. “We have just one operational vehicle, which is shared by five different teams. That limits our reach. If we had more vehicles and motorcycles, we would be able to cover more places and make more arrests,” she said.

Fatima Popoola credited the success recorded to synergy with other sister security agencies, saying, “The NDLEA is not working alone. We are working with the police, army, civil defence, and traditional rulers.”

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who was represented by Counsellor and Special Adviser to the Governor, Alhaji Saad Salahudeen, commended the NDLEA for the success recorded, adding that the arrests and seizures reflect the commitment of the Abdulrazaq-led government to eliminating illicit drugs in the state.

He said the state has worked closely with the NDLEA by mobilising traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society groups and religious institutions to create awareness on the dangers of drug abuse.

“We need to educate the younger generation on the health implications of involvement in drugs,” he said.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, stressing that the fight against drug trafficking requires everyone’s support.

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