NDLEA seizes cannabis worth billions of Naira in Kwara
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State Command, have seized a total of 2.318 tons of cannabis estimated to cost 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, disclosed that four suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, which were concealed in sacks, also containing saw dust.
The Commander said that the drugs were intercepted during various operations carried out across the State, especially along Offa and Omu-Aran axis of the State Command at between 3:00 am and 5:30 am.
“This is one of the biggest seizures we’ve ever made in a single week in recent time and the street value of what we seized runs into at least billions of Naira. This shows just how serious the drug use and trafficking have become in Kwara State,” she added.
The NDLEA boss said that one of the suspects, a driver, was caught with 1.2 tons of cannabis, another suspect with 300kg of cannabis, while the remaining 720kg seizure was linked to two suspects.
The drugs were reportedly concealed in Canter trucks and disguised as ordinary goods with sacks of saw dust to deceive NDLEA officials at check points.
“A J5 vehicle was checked, which appeared to be empty, but we found it loaded with cannabis, and these operations took place mostly between 3:00 am and 5:30 am, when traffickers often move to avoid detection,” she said.
The NDLEA boss, who said that drugs are at the root of many criminal activities, added that, “No sane person wakes up to commit inhumane acts or violent crimes. Most times, there is drug influence behind it”.
Noting that security challenge in such places like Kaiama, Chikanda, Patigi, Edu, and Omu-Aran is drug-related, she said that while only two tons 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, she said, is facing several challenges, particularly 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.”
Fatima Popoola credited success recorded to synergy between the NDLEA and other sister security agencies, saying that, “the NDLEA is not working alone. We are working with the police, army, civil defence, and traditional rulers”.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by Counsellor and Special Advisor to the Governor, Alhaji Saad Salahudeen, commended the NDLEA for the success recorded, adding that the arrests and seizures reflect commitment of the Abdulrazaq-led government to eliminate illicit drugs in the state.
He said that 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.