By Sharon Akuboh
KANO, NIGERIA — Less than 24 hours after Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf launched the Kano State Rapid Response Squad, operatives delivered a major blow to illicit drug trafficking, seizing 3.18 million capsules of suspected Pregabalin in Sabon Gari.
The high-stakes operation unfolded following a tip-off received through the Task Force’s Command and Call Centre. Acting on the intelligence, operatives raided a residential apartment at No. 13 Apple Avenue, Normansland, Sabon Gari (Fagge LGA), uncovering the massive drug cache.
Operatives arrested 34-year-old Gregory Ogbuji, who is linked to SEEMARK PHARMA LTD (RC: 2012546). Ogbuji has been charged under Section 249 of the Penal Code, while law enforcement actively pursues an additional suspect connected to the syndicate.
Highlighting the raid as a major early victory, Task Force Chairman Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, Esq., emphasized the crucial role of public cooperation and intelligence-led operations.
“Pregabalin has become one of the most widely abused prescription drugs in Kano State, surfacing in eight out of every ten drug-related busts,” Rimin Gado stated, describing the trend as a critical public health and security threat.
The successful raid underscores the immediate impact of the newly launched Rapid Response Squad, established to combat drug abuse, illicit trafficking, and violent thuggery across the state.
Issuing a stern warning to drug cartels, Rimin Gado reaffirmed the Task Force’s resolve to enforce the law without compromise. He urged Kano residents to continue reporting suspicious activities through the official Command Call Centre to support the administration’s “Kano First” agenda.
Official Statement Released By:
The official press release detailing the operation was signed and issued by Lamara Garba, mnipr, Secretary of the Media and Publicity Committee for the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. A member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Garba serves as the official mouthpiece for the Task Force, driving public communication, intelligence campaign awareness, and media outreach aimed at curbing substance abuse across the state.