NDLEA seizes over 10 tonnes of illicit drugs, recovers 40 firearms, 874 cartridges

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Kogi State says it has seized more than 10 tonnes of illicit drugs and recovered 40 firearms and 874 cartridges from suspected drug dealers since late 2025.

Mr Umar Yahuza, State Commander of the NDLEA in Kogi, disclosed this in Lokoja while speaking with newsmen after the handover of the arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Yahuza said the recovered weapons comprised five pistols and 35 other firearms, adding that several suspects had also been arrested in connection with drug trafficking and related offences.

He said many of the suspects were currently facing trial at the Federal High Court in Lokoja, with more than 80 per cent of those standing trial being males.

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

Yahuza said some of the firearms were recovered from suspected drug dealers involved in cannabis cultivation, who acquired the weapons to confront security personnel during enforcement operations.

He added that the command also recovered counterfeit naira, dollar and pound notes, as well as counterfeit drugs, which were handed over to relevant agencies for further investigation and action.

The commander said the recovery of the arms and ammunition demonstrated the strong collaboration among security agencies in the state.

He assured that the command would continue to pursue drug dealers and other criminal elements, urging members of the public to provide useful information to security agencies.

Yahuza also advised residents against assisting criminals, stressing that illicit drug trafficking and abuse contributed to insecurity, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

Also speaking, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, Security Adviser to Governor Ahmed Ododo, commended the NDLEA for its efforts in combating illicit drugs and other forms of crime in the state.

Omodara said the recovery of the weapons and drugs was significant to the security of residents, noting that the NDLEA had contributed to the broader fight against crime beyond its core mandate of drug control.

He said the state government remained committed to a zero-tolerance policy towards insecurity and criminality, while security agencies continued to collaborate through intelligence sharing and joint operations.

The security adviser attributed the relative peace in the state to sustained security operations, regular patrols and effective collaboration among security agencies.

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

Omodara called for increased Federal Government support for security operations in the North-Central region, describing Kogi as strategically important because of its road and water links between northern and southern Nigeria.

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

Omodara assured residents of adequate security during the October 17 local government elections in the state, saying security agencies were already coordinating deployment plans to ensure a peaceful exercise.

He warned bandits, kidnappers, highway robbers and cultists to desist from criminal activities or face arrest and prosecution.

The security adviser said the removal of illicit drugs, firearms and ammunition from circulation would contribute to reducing crime and promoting peace and security in the state.

He commended Ododo for his support for security agencies, stressing that continued collaboration among the agencies remained crucial to sustaining the prevailing peace in Kogi.