The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s Kano State Strategic Command has handed over 450,000 intercepted Pregabalin capsules to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation. This development follows the seizure of the consignment, which was concealed in a van and packed in 60 cartons, on the Kano–Hadejia Road.
According to Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics and Kano State Commander of NDLEA, the items were seized due to the lack of legitimate ownership or documentation. The transfer of the seized drugs to NAFDAC is in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two agencies on November 24, 2024, aimed at enhancing collaboration in curbing the circulation of unregistered pharmaceuticals.
The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has emphasized the agency’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation. Receiving the seized drugs, NAFDAC State Coordinator Kassim Idrissa-Ibrahim commended NDLEA for the seizure, describing the handover as a demonstration of strong collaboration between the two agencies in safeguarding public health.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, noted that the handover represents a collective effort to protect Nigerians from harmful, unregistered, and potentially dangerous pharmaceutical products. She assured that NAFDAC would conduct the necessary forensic analysis and take appropriate regulatory and legal actions in line with its mandate.
The seizure and handover of the Pregabalin capsules highlight the importance of cooperation between law enforcement and regulatory agencies in combating drug abuse and misuse. Both NDLEA and NAFDAC have reaffirmed their determination to disrupt the illicit distribution of controlled pharmaceuticals and protect public health and safety. The swift action by NDLEA has prevented the harmful substances from reaching unsuspecting citizens, underscoring the significance of inter-agency collaboration in ensuring the well-being of Nigerians.
