The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano has handed over a staggering 450,000 pregabalin capsules to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) after a high-stakes interception along the Kano–Hadejia road.
Pregabalin—originally a prescription drug for epilepsy, nerve pain, and anxiety—has become one of Nigeria’s most abused medications, with young people increasingly misusing it for its sedative and euphoric effects. Health experts link the surge in pregabalin abuse to rising cases of addiction, mental health challenges, and social unrest across northern Nigeria.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Sadiq Maigatari, the capsules—hidden in a van and packed in 60 cartons—were seized after the driver failed to present legitimate ownership or documentation. “The seized items were brought to the NDLEA office for investigation; no legitimate ownership or documentation was presented for the consignment,” Maigatari stated.
Acting on a Memorandum of Understanding signed with NAFDAC in November 2024, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) directed that the massive haul be transferred immediately to NAFDAC for forensic testing and regulatory action.
Receiving the capsules, the Kano NAFDAC coordinator praised the NDLEA for swift collaboration, noting that the joint effort highlights the agencies’ united front in dismantling the black market for controlled pharmaceuticals.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to intelligence sharing, tighter surveillance on trafficking routes, and stronger regulatory enforcement. The interception of the 450,000 pregabalin capsules is one of the largest seizures since the MoU was signed—underscoring Nigeria’s escalating war on illicit drugs and the government’s determination to protect public health.
