The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Command has handed over 491,000 tablets of seized Tramadol hydrochloride valued at over N150 million to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Kano.

The handover ceremony took place on Monday in Kano, where Area Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar revealed that the seizure was the result of intelligence gathering operations, demonstrating the Command's commitment to combating illicit drug trafficking in the region.

"This seizure underscores our determination to rid the society of harmful drugs. The smugglers, transporters, and manufacturers are not the end-users. We must ask, who are these drugs meant for," Abubakar stated during the handover.

The Area Comptroller expressed deep concern about the widespread impact of drug abuse on society, highlighting its connection to crime, violence, financial instability, homelessness, and adverse health effects including weakened immune systems and psychological dependency.

He called for collaborative efforts from religious and traditional leaders, civil society organizations, government institutions, and media outlets to intensify awareness and advocacy campaigns against drug abuse across the country.

Abubakar also drew attention to the gender dimensions of the drug crisis, noting that one in every four drug users in Nigeria is a woman—a trend he described as particularly alarming given the central role women play in family and societal structures.

Citing data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Area Comptroller pointed out that Nigeria, with an estimated population of 236.8 million, is the sixth most populous country globally, with approximately three million drug users in the North-West zone alone.

Mr. Kasim Idrissa, NAFDAC State Coordinator in Kano, received the seized items and commended the Customs Service for its vigilance and collaborative approach. He reaffirmed NAFDAC's commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation in tackling the drug menace that continues to plague Nigerian communities.

This handover represents a significant step in ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to combat drug trafficking and abuse, particularly in the northern region of the country where the problem remains prevalent.