(NDLEA. Photo by Premuim Times)
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.
The State Commander, Umar Yahuza, shared this in Lokoja after the arms and ammunition were handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
He said the weapons include five pistols and 35 other firearms.
Many suspects have been arrested, and several are now being tried at the Federal High Court in Lokoja.
More than 80 percent of them are men.
According to him, cannabis made up the largest share of the drugs seized, followed by tramadol, cocaine and methamphetamine.
He said some of the guns were taken from suspected dealers who grow cannabis and bought the weapons to confront security personnel during raids.
The command also recovered fake naira, dollar and pound notes and counterfeit drugs, which were passed to the relevant agencies for further action.
Yahuza said the recovery shows strong teamwork among security agencies.
He promised that the command will keep going after drug dealers and urged the public to share useful information.
He also warned residents not to help criminals, saying drug trafficking and abuse feed insecurity, kidnapping and other crimes.
The Security Adviser to Governor Ahmed Ododo, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, praised the NDLEA for its work, saying it has helped in the wider fight against crime beyond drug control.
He said the state has a zero-tolerance policy on insecurity and that agencies are working together through intelligence sharing and joint operations.
He credited the relative peace in the state to steady operations, regular patrols and good cooperation among agencies.
Omodara said efforts are on to recover arms from criminals in forests and other places, and that some bandits have started handing in their weapons.
He asked the Federal Government to give more support to security operations in the North-Central region, noting that Kogi is important because of its road and water links between the north and south.
He welcomed the new battalions and Forward Operating Bases in the state.
He also assured residents of enough security during the October 17 local government elections, saying deployment plans are already being worked out.
He warned bandits, kidnappers, highway robbers and cultists to stop or face arrest and prosecution.
Omodara thanked Ododo for backing the security agencies and said continued teamwork is key to keeping the peace in Kogi.
