NSCDC arrests 58-year-old man for alleged 20-year drug trafficking in Zamfara

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Zamfara State has arrested a 58-year-old man accused of selling illegal drugs in the state for more than 20 years.

The command also arrested nine other suspects over alleged vandalism and theft of government infrastructure.

The suspects were paraded on Monday at the NSCDC headquarters in Gusau.

The state commandant, Sani Mustapha, through the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASCI Umar Mohammed, said the arrests were made as part of its statutory responsibility to tackle criminal activities and protect public infrastructure.

“In accordance with statutory mandate of the Corps, the Zamfara state command, under the supervision and adept headship of commandant Sani Mustapha, the command is steadfast and committed to reducing elements of criminality,” he said.

According to the command, Alhaji Haruna Amadu, 55, from Tsageru village in Tsafe Local Government Area, was arrested on September 8, 2026, at about 3 pm.

Amadu allegedly identified eight other people linked to the suspected vandalism, theft and destruction of government property.

The command said the nine suspects confessed to the offences. They were accused of conspiring to remove roofing materials from government property and attempting to bribe village heads.

In a separate operation, the NSCDC arrested Emmanuel Okonkwo, 58, in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area at about 11:30 pm on September 10, 2026.

According to the command, Okonkwo told its intelligence department that he had two alleged accomplices, identified as Yellow and Sadiq, who are still at large.

The suspect reportedly said he had operated a chemist in Birnin Magaji for more than 20 years.

He also allegedly confessed to working with Yellow and Sadiq to sell hard drugs, including cannabis, also known as weed or marijuana, Exol 5, Tramadol and Diazepam D10 tablets in the state.

The NSCDC said investigations into the cases are ongoing.