The Kano State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has transferred a large cache of intercepted Pregabalin capsules totaling 450,000 pills to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for comprehensive forensic and regulatory assessment.
The seizure was made by an NDLEA patrol team along the Kano–Hadejia highway, where officers discovered the drugs hidden in a van, packed into 60 cartons.
According to a statement released on Thursday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Maigatari, no documentation or proof of legal ownership accompanied the consignment.
“Following standard procedure, the seized drugs were brought to our office for investigation. The lack of legitimate paperwork raised further suspicion,” Maigatari noted.
Pregabalin—originally developed to treat epilepsy, nerve pain, and anxiety has become one of Nigeria’s most abused prescription drugs.
Its misuse, particularly for its sedative and euphoric effects, has fueled growing concerns about addiction, mental health issues, and social instability, especially among youth in northern regions.
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In line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NDLEA and NAFDAC in November 2024, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), ordered the immediate transfer of the intercepted drugs to NAFDAC for further investigation.
At the handover event, the NAFDAC State Coordinator commended the NDLEA for its adherence to the MoU and emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration between the two agencies.
“This partnership highlights our shared commitment to tackling the illegal circulation of controlled substances and safeguarding public health,” Maigatari added.
Under the leadership of Assistant Commander-General of Narcotics, A.I. Ahmad, the Kano State NDLEA command reiterated its dedication to joint operations and enhanced inter-agency coordination.
The NDLEA continues to intensify surveillance on transit routes frequently used for drug trafficking, warning that the diversion of medications like Pregabalin, tramadol, and codeine into unregulated markets remains a serious threat to national security.
The 2024 MoU between NDLEA and NAFDAC aims to tighten regulatory oversight by improving intelligence sharing, forensic capabilities, and enforcement protocols—closing gaps exploited by traffickers to move illicit pharmaceuticals disguised as legitimate shipments.
