The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 58-year-old man in Zamfara State for allegedly dealing in illegal drugs for more than two decades.
The suspect, identified as Emmanuel Okonkwo, was arrested at his chemist shop in the Bakin Tasha area of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area on September 10, 2026.
The Zamfara State Command said the arrest followed intelligence-led operations aimed at tackling criminal activities and the illegal sale of controlled substances across the state.
According to the NSCDC, a search of Okonkwo’s premises led to the recovery of 112 packs of cannabis, 1,160 tablets of Exol 5, 14 sachets of Tramadol and 133 tablets of Diazepam D10.
During preliminary questioning, the suspect allegedly admitted that he had been operating the illegal drug business for more than 20 years.
The NSCDC also said Okonkwo mentioned two alleged accomplices identified as Yellow and Sadiq, who were reportedly still at large at the time of the arrest.
The command said the two suspects were believed to operate in Kaduna State and Malele village in the Dansadau area of Zamfara.
The State Commandant, Sani Mustapha, directed that Okonkwo be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
The drug arrest was disclosed alongside the arrest of nine other suspects accused of vandalising and stealing roofing materials from Tsageru Primary School in Tsafe Local Government Area.
The NSCDC said the school vandalism suspects allegedly removed roofing sheets from three classrooms and intended to sell the materials to raise money for access to farmland.
The command said the estimated damage to the school was N4.5 million and that the suspects would be prosecuted after investigations.
The NSCDC reiterated its commitment to tackling criminal activities, drug-related offences and the vandalisation of public infrastructure across Zamfara State.
The allegations against the suspects remain subject to investigation, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court.
