Police arrest suspected drug dealers in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested several suspected illicit drug dealers and recovered thousands of tablets and capsules during separate operations in Bakori, Charanci and other parts of the state.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, said the operations involved the Civilian JTF, local vigilantes and police operatives.

The operations, conducted between October 9 and 17, 2026, led to the recovery of 2,970 pieces of suspected illicit drugs, including Pregabalin, Exol, Tramadol and a substance suspected to be Indian hemp.

He said that on October 9, the Civilian JTF in Bakori arrested a 23-year-old suspect, Abdullahi Muntari, over alleged involvement in supplying illicit drugs to armed bandits operating in the area.

According to the statement, 41 pieces of a substance suspected to be ICE were recovered from the suspect, who allegedly confessed to receiving supplies from his elder brother, Adamu Muntari, who is currently at large.

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The police said the suspect also admitted distributing the substance in Kakumi village and neighbouring communities.

According to the police, in a separate operation on October 13, vigilantes in Kartaka village, Charanci Local Government Area, intercepted a red motorcycle carrying three suspects identified as Babangida Mamman, 40, Basiru Isah and Saminu Sada.

The police said the suspects refused to stop when flagged down and sustained varying degrees of injuries during a pursuit before being taken to a hospital for treatment.

A search reportedly led to the recovery of 2,000 Pregabalin tablets, 765 Exol tablets and 29 Tramadol capsules.

The suspects allegedly told investigators that they had travelled to Karofi village in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area, where they obtained the drugs from a man identified as Abba M, who is currently at large.

Similarly, police operatives on routine patrol along Mani-Dutsi Road, around Magami village, on October 17 arrested three other suspects: Umar Lawal, 27; Hashimu Lawal, 27; and Basiru Wada, 38.

The police said the suspects were found with Pregabalin capsules, Exol tablets and dried green leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

They allegedly identified one Musa Magami, who is also at large, as their supplier.

The command said investigations were ongoing, with efforts intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects.