NDLEA recovers 10 tonnes of drugs, 40 firearms in Kogi crackdown

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed that its operations in Kogi State since late 2025 have led to the recovery of more than 10 tonnes of illicit drugs, 40 firearms and 874 rounds of ammunition.

The agency said the seizures were recorded during sustained operations targeting drug trafficking and other criminal activities across the state, with several suspects arrested and prosecuted.

The Kogi State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Umar Yahuza, disclosed this in Lokoja on Tuesday while speaking with journalists after handing over the recovered firearms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Yahuza explained that the weapons comprised five pistols and 35 other firearms, adding that suspects arrested in connection with drug trafficking and related offences were currently facing trial at the Federal High Court in Lokoja.

He noted that more than 80 per cent of the suspects standing trial were males.

According to the commander, cannabis sativa constituted the largest quantity of illicit drugs seized by the command, followed by tramadol, cocaine and methamphetamine.

He further disclosed that some of the firearms were recovered from suspected drug dealers allegedly involved in cannabis cultivation, who reportedly acquired the weapons to resist security personnel during enforcement operations.

The NDLEA also recovered counterfeit naira, US dollar and British pound notes, alongside counterfeit pharmaceutical products. Yahuza said the recovered items had been handed over to the relevant government agencies for further investigation and appropriate action.

He stressed that the recovery of the firearms and ammunition demonstrated the importance of collaboration among security agencies in tackling criminal activities in the state.

Yahuza assured residents that the agency would intensify its campaign against drug trafficking and other related crimes, while appealing to members of the public to provide useful information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending criminals.

He also warned residents against harbouring or providing support to criminals, noting that illicit drug trafficking and abuse could worsen insecurity, kidnapping and other forms of crime.

Reacting to the development, the Kogi State Security Adviser, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, commended the NDLEA for its contribution to the fight against insecurity.

Omodara described the recovery of the drugs, firearms and ammunition as significant to the safety of residents, noting that the NDLEA had extended its contribution beyond drug control to the broader fight against criminality.

He said the Kogi State Government remained committed to a zero-tolerance approach to insecurity and criminal activities, adding that security agencies were strengthening intelligence sharing, joint operations and coordinated patrols.

The security adviser attributed the relative peace being experienced in the state to sustained security operations and collaboration among security agencies.

He disclosed that efforts were ongoing to recover additional weapons from criminal elements operating in forests and other locations, adding that some bandits had already started surrendering their weapons.

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Omodara also called for increased Federal Government support for security operations in the North-Central region, stressing that Kogi’s strategic location and its road and water connections between northern and southern Nigeria made its security particularly important.

He welcomed the strengthening of military formations in the state, saying the deployment of additional battalions and Forward Operating Bases would further boost security operations.

On the October 17 local government elections in Kogi, Omodara assured residents that adequate security arrangements were being put in place to guarantee a peaceful exercise.

He warned bandits, kidnappers, highway robbers and cultists to abandon criminal activities or be prepared to face arrest and prosecution.

The security adviser maintained that taking illicit drugs, firearms and ammunition out of circulation would help reduce criminal activities and sustain peace across the state.

He also commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his continued support for security agencies, stressing that effective inter-agency collaboration remained critical to maintaining the security gains recorded in Kogi.