Three arrested in Katsina over alleged drug supply to terrorists

Troops of the Nigerian Army, working with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested three suspected drug peddlers allegedly supplying illicit substances to terrorists and other criminal elements in Katsina State.

A post shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama said the suspects were apprehended during a joint operation carried out at about 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday in Kagara village, Kafur Local Government Area of the state.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted by troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi deployed at Kafur alongside personnel of the NDLEA Area Command, Malumfashi.

According to the sources, the operation targeted suspected drug distribution points in the community as part of efforts to disrupt the supply of illicit substances to criminal groups operating in the area.

The sources identified the suspects as Mohammed Lawan, 34; Muhawiya Haruna, 40; and Junadata Usman, 40.

Items recovered from the suspects included substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, quantities of tramadol capsules, pregabalin, diazepam, Extol-5 tablets, rubber solution and “Suck and Die” spirit.

“The sources said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly involved in supplying hard drugs and other intoxicating substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur and neighbouring communities,” Makama said.  

Following their arrest, the suspects and the recovered exhibits were handed over to the NDLEA Area Command in Malumfashi for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The operation, according to the sources, forms part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle the logistics and supply networks supporting terrorism and other criminal activities across Katsina State.