Relocate from Niger or be arrested to face prosecution, NDLEA boss to drug peddlers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Niger State command, has revealed that the urban patrol introduced by the Command in Minna metropolis and environs has recorded landmark success, leading to the arrest of many youths engaged in drugs, miscreants as well as criminals with dangerous weapons.

The State Commander of NDLEA, Shehu Gwadabawa gave the hint while speaking with  Journalists in his office, in Minna, Monday 15th December,2025.

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Gwadabawa, explained that the urban patrol was aimed to curtail the youths’ restiveness who engaged in phone snatching and attack on the innocent people within the metropolis.

Commander Shehu also elaborated that  aside from urban patrol, the agency has also carried out regular raids on some black spots and arrested youths engaged in drugs.

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According to him, “We introduced the patrol so that the restive youths would have second thoughts before they move around, adding that, they know, they can be intercepted and of course, the urban patrol has curtailed their movement drastically” .He noted.

“We do stop and search within the city center in Minna in order to ensure that movement of illegal drugs from one point to another is curtail”.

The NDLEA Commander had earlier revealed that from January to November, 2025,the state command had seized over 3 tones of cannabis and had arrested 6 persons, and 4 vehicles, adding that, they were all charged to court and each was jailed for 10 years.

“Within the period under review, we have made a huge recovery of (244) bags of cannabis weighing over 3,000 kilograms in Suleja, so we are recording successes”, he  asserted 

The NDLEA boss had warned drug dealers to re-think, if they don’t want to be arrested, they should leave the business, or relocate and leave Niger.

In Gwadabawa’s words”. We will definitely get you and when we get you, you will be prosecuted, while he urged parents to watch their children closely as well as disassociate them with bad friends”.

He however advised community leaders and other stakeholders to feel free to come forward and report issues of drugs in their immediate communities, assuring that the agency is ready to partner with any one with useful and genuine information that will assist the agency perform its functions ultimately.

Commander Gwadabawa, applauded governor Muhammad Umaru Bago for granting express approval for the construction of the agency parameter fence, saying that the command has been operating without a fence for over two decades.

He also appreciated the governor for the gesture of an Hilux van, and appealed for more vehicles so as to enable the command police the state adequately.

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