Kano Task Force Shuts Pharmaceutical Firm Amid Allegations of Illegal Pregabalin Distribution

The Kano State Multi-Agency Taskforce on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has taken decisive action against a pharmaceutical company operating within the Sabon Gari area. According to the task force chairman, Muhuyi Magaji, the facility was shut down following the discovery of over 3.18 million tablets of Pregabalin, a controlled drug with a market value estimated at ₦900 million.

The Scope of the Seizure

The operation, detailed by Magaji during a press briefing on Saturday, highlights the ongoing struggle against substance abuse in the region. Pregabalin has been identified by the task force as the most frequently abused substance in Kano. Data provided by the agency suggests that approximately 80% of individuals arrested for drug-related offenses are either in possession of the drug or have confirmed its use.

Regulatory Oversight Under Scrutiny

A significant portion of the task force’s report focuses on the role of regulatory bodies. Magaji has publicly questioned the issuance of import licenses for Pregabalin, particularly following its reclassification as a controlled drug by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on September 14, 2026. The task force pointed to a specific import license granted to a Kano-based company on October 23, 2026, as a point of concern that warrants further investigation.

The task force chairman further alleged that officials from both NAFDAC and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) may be facilitating the illegal supply chain. According to the source, these regulatory licenses are allegedly being utilized to bypass standard restrictions, allowing controlled substances to reach the streets rather than legitimate pharmacy channels.

Allegations of Systemic Complicity

Beyond the immediate seizure, the task force has raised alarms regarding the potential for institutional corruption. Magaji stated that preliminary findings suggest the owner of the shuttered firm may be operating a secondary company as a front to distribute controlled drugs through clandestine networks. Furthermore, he alleged that certain PCN officials are actively resisting enforcement efforts due to personal interests in the drug trade.

“I cannot in good conscience continue to go after the victims, that is, users, while the perpetrators (dealers) are given a shield by those who have a statutory responsibility to protect them from accessing these drugs they tend to abuse,” Magaji noted.

Broader Enforcement Context

The task force reports that its ongoing campaign has resulted in 1,760 arrests and 890 convictions to date. However, the chairman expressed frustration that these enforcement gains are being undermined by the alleged protection of larger-scale distributors. The task force also questioned how the facility in Sabon Gari was granted regulatory approval, citing potential violations of local land-use requirements.

Conclusion

The closure of the pharmaceutical firm marks a critical point in Kano’s efforts to curb the illicit drug trade. As the task force calls for a deeper investigation into regulatory practices, the focus remains on whether systemic changes can be implemented to prevent controlled medicines from entering the illegal market. Information regarding the specific identities of the accused officials or the current status of the legal proceedings against the firm’s owners was not provided in the initial report.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

Tags: Drug Abuse · Kano · NAFDAC · news · Pharmaceuticals · Pregabalin · ViralBrief