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 testing and regulatory assessment, in what authorities describe as a clear demonstration of strengthened inter-agency collaboration.
The seizure, made by NDLEA operatives on the Kano–Hadejia road, involved 60 cartons of the controlled substance concealed inside a van. According to the agency’s spokesperson, ASN Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari, no legitimate ownership documents were presented for the consignment, prompting its immediate transfer to the command’s office for investigation.
Pregabalin, originally developed to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and anxiety disorders, has become one of the most widely abused prescription drugs in Nigeria. Misused for its sedative and euphoric effects, the drug has been increasingly linked to addiction, mental health crises, and social unrest, particularly among young people in northern Nigeria.
Acting under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between NDLEA and NAFDAC on November 24, 2024, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) directed that the seized items be transferred to NAFDAC for forensic and regulatory scrutiny.
At the handover, the NAFDAC State Coordinator praised the NDLEA for adhering to the MoU and pledged closer cooperation in subsequent investigations and enforcement actions. “This joint action underscores both agencies’ determination to disrupt the illicit distribution of controlled pharmaceuticals and protect public health and safety,” Maigatari stated.
The NDLEA Kano Strategic Command, led by ACGN A.I. Ahmad, reaffirmed its commitment to synchronised operations, stressing that the interception reflects the practical implementation of the NDLEA–NAFDAC partnership.
The move comes against the backdrop of increasing trafficking of pregabalin, tramadol, codeine, and other controlled medicines in Nigeria. The NDLEA has repeatedly warned that their diversion from medical to illicit use poses a grave threat to public health and national security.
In recent months, the agency has intensified surveillance on major transit routes notorious for smuggling, aligning with the broader agenda to close loopholes exploited by traffickers. Officials believe that the seizure in Kano, along with its formal transfer to NAFDAC, sets a precedent for more robust enforcement and regulatory cooperation in curbing pharmaceutical abuse nationwide.
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