The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its sustained operations in Kogi State since late 2025 have resulted in the recovery of more than 10 tonnes of illicit drugs, alongside 40 firearms and 874 rounds of ammunition.

The Kogi State Commander of the agency, Umar Yahuza, disclosed the figures in Lokoja while speaking to journalists following the handover of the recovered weapons and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Yahuza said the operations were carried out as part of the command’s efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and related criminal activities across the state.

He added that several suspects had been arrested in connection with drug-related offences, with a number of cases currently before the Federal High Court in Lokoja. According to the commander, more than 80 per cent of the suspects standing trial are male.

The NDLEA commander said cannabis sativa accounted for the largest proportion of the illicit substances recovered by the command, followed by tramadol, cocaine and methamphetamine.

The agency also reported the recovery of counterfeit Nigerian currency, US dollars and British pounds, as well as counterfeit pharmaceutical products. Yahuza said the items had been transferred to the appropriate government agencies for further investigation and necessary action.

According to the NDLEA, some of the firearms were recovered in connection with suspects allegedly involved in illicit drug activities. Those claims remain matters for investigation and prosecution where applicable.

Yahuza said the recovery highlighted the importance of cooperation among security agencies in addressing drug trafficking and other forms of criminality in Kogi.

He urged residents to provide useful information to law enforcement authorities and warned against harbouring or assisting suspected criminals.

The Kogi State Security Adviser, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, commended the NDLEA for its contribution to the broader security effort in the state.

Omodara said security agencies were continuing to strengthen intelligence sharing, joint operations and coordinated patrols. He also said efforts were ongoing to recover additional weapons from criminal groups operating in forests and other locations.

The security adviser called for greater Federal Government support for security operations in the North-Central region, noting Kogi’s strategic position and its road and water connections between northern and southern Nigeria.

He also welcomed efforts to strengthen military formations in the state, saying additional security infrastructure would support ongoing operations.

With Kogi’s local government elections scheduled for October 17, 2026, Omodara said security arrangements were being coordinated to support a peaceful exercise. KOSIEC has confirmed that the polls are scheduled across the state’s 21 local government areas, 239 electoral wards and 3,508 polling units.

The security adviser also urged residents to remain law-abiding and warned criminal groups that security agencies would continue efforts to tackle kidnapping, robbery, cult-related activities and other offences.

The NDLEA’s latest disclosure comes amid broader security efforts in Kogi, with authorities maintaining that continued cooperation between law enforcement agencies and communities is necessary to sustain public safety.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia