The Kano State unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recently transferred 450,000 confiscated Pregabalin capsules to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for detailed forensic examination and regulatory assessment.
Pregabalin, primarily prescribed as an anticonvulsant and for pain management, has unfortunately become one of Nigeria’s most misused prescription medications in recent times.
Initially developed to treat conditions such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and anxiety disorders, Pregabalin has increasingly infiltrated illegal markets, where it is abused for its calming and euphoric properties.
This surge in misuse has been associated with a rise in addiction cases, mental health challenges, and social disturbances, especially among the youth in northern Nigeria.
The seized drugs were intercepted by an NDLEA patrol team on the Kano-Hadejia highway, hidden inside a van and packed across 60 cartons.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Maigatari, the consignment was brought to the NDLEA office for further investigation, with no valid ownership or documentation provided.
Following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NDLEA and NAFDAC on November 24, 2024, the NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retired), ordered the immediate handover of the capsules to NAFDAC to facilitate comprehensive testing and regulatory evaluation.
Under the leadership of ACGN A.I. Ahmad, the NDLEA Kano State Strategic Command reiterated its dedication to coordinated operations and enhanced inter-agency collaboration, aligning with the Chairman’s strategic vision.
Upon receiving the capsules, the NAFDAC coordinator expressed gratitude to NDLEA for honoring the MoU and assured continued cooperation in forthcoming investigative and regulatory processes.
Maigatari emphasized, “This collaborative effort highlights the commitment of both agencies to dismantle illegal pharmaceutical distribution networks and safeguard public health.”
Reports from PUNCH Online indicate that NDLEA has consistently warned about the trafficking of Pregabalin, Tramadol, Codeine, and other controlled substances, emphasizing that their diversion from legitimate medical use to illicit markets poses significant risks to public health and national security.
In response, NDLEA has intensified monitoring along key transit corridors known for smuggling controlled drugs.
The November 2024 MoU between NDLEA and NAFDAC aims to bolster cooperation in intelligence exchange, forensic analysis, and enforcement actions, closing gaps exploited by traffickers to mask illegal shipments as legitimate pharmaceutical cargo.
The recent seizure of 450,000 Pregabalin capsules in Kano and their subsequent transfer to NAFDAC exemplify the effective implementation of this partnership.
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