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Inside the daring NDLEA operation that uncovered a hidden labyrinth fueling addiction and crime—while igniting hope for change in Nigeria. TOYE FALEYE reports on a mission to rebuild communities and stem the tide of the heinous trade.
Uncovering the Hidden Tunnels
On May 4, 2026, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) revealed a hidden network of underground drug tunnels in the Rimin Kebe area of Kano State.
The operation, called Sharar Mafaka, uncovered hideouts furnished with mats, pillows, food flasks, and cutlery—evidence that people had lived there for some time. Some tunnels were still under construction, indicating an organised network.
According to NDLEA Commander Dahiru Yahaya Lawal, some structures had already been demolished, and work on the rest was ongoing.
For residents, the discovery had deeper meaning. Beyond a law enforcement win, it symbolised how thoroughly drug cartels had penetrated daily life.
As one community elder said, “These tunnels are not just holes in the ground. They are signs of how far we have allowed despair to dig into our society.”
Ripple Effects on Society and Health
The impact of these hidden drug tunnels is far-reaching. Easier access to drugs, especially among youths and students near Bayero University Kano, increases public health risks.
Addiction places heavy burdens on families and the healthcare system. Security challenges grow as traffickers use the tunnels to evade law enforcement.
Productivity suffers, and cartels profit from the suffering of others. Neighborhoods lose stability, and more young people are lured into trafficking instead of focusing on school or work.
A 2018 survey found that 14.3 million Nigerians—almost 14% of the population—had used psychoactive substances, with over 4 million already dependent, putting significant strain on families and the economy.
Experts warn the damage goes beyond the physical; it also erodes trust and community bonds, deepening the cycle of addiction.
Stepping Up the National Response
The Kano tunnels discovery is part of a larger NDLEA effort. Between 2021 and 2025, the agency arrested over 77,000 people and seized more than 14 million kilos of drugs.
In 2026, NDLEA introduced a new National Drug Control Master Plan (2026–2030) to strengthen enforcement, enhance rehabilitation, and broaden prevention efforts. Chairman Brig.
Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.) called for state commands to ramp up raids and maintain discipline, signalling a wider push nationwide.
However, counsellors warn that enforcement alone is not enough. “Raids may break supply chains, but they do not heal broken families or restore lost futures,” says Yusuf.
Without rehabilitation and reintegration, therapists warn, arrests often continue the cycle of trauma.
Global Perspectives and Comparisons
Nigeria is not alone in facing this challenge. Countries such as Mexico and Colombia have struggled with similar issues.
In Mexico, targeting cartel leaders with the “kingpin strategy” led to violent splits and turf wars.
Colombia’s experience included crop substitution and rural development alongside enforcement. Nigeria is now trying a combined approach—crackdowns with socio-economic support.
South Africa’s community-based rehabilitation programs, which include therapy, counselling, and vocational training, have lowered relapse rates. Nigeria has an opportunity to learn from and adapt these models.
Toward a Holistic Solution
Moving forward, Nigeria can combine NDLEA’s raids with social and economic programs.
Vocational training and apprenticeships help at-risk youths find jobs, and microfinance supports small businesses in vulnerable areas.
More rehab centres can treat addiction and help reintegration. Education campaigns and mentoring, led by community leaders, raise awareness and engage youths.
Counsellors argue that these broader changes require community-based support.
Safe spaces can allow people recovering from addiction to share stories, rebuild trust, and reconnect. Psychologists emphasise early prevention in schools through resilience and coping skills, equipping youths to avoid drugs.
Therapists highlight the need to address root causes like poverty, abuse, or hopelessness for lasting healing.
There are already promising examples in Nigeria. In Lagos, the Drug Abuse Treatment, Education and Research (DATER) unit at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital blends medical care, counselling, and job training.
In Kano, Youth Against Drug Abuse (YADA) brings volunteers together to mentor students and offer alternatives. These programs suggest that combining therapy, education, and jobs can help people achieve lasting recovery.
These experiences make it clear: fighting drugs means more than breaking up tunnels or cartels—it’s about helping people rebuild their lives.
Building infrastructure, creating youth centres, and supporting agriculture can help fight poverty and prevent recruitment. Still, without mental health support and community reintegration, substance abuse and trafficking will persist.
Cartels exploit poverty and unemployment, embedding themselves in communities. Nigeria’s approach must be hybrid—raids to disrupt supply, rehabilitation to reduce demand, and socio-economic empowerment to cut recruitment.
Sustained intelligence-led NDLEA operations, alongside government investments in people, could help Nigeria avoid the violence seen in Latin America and build safer communities.
A Path Forward for Nigeria
Nigeria’s fight against drugs is now about more than raids and arrests: it’s a mission to rebuild communities, help people recover, and ensure that, beneath the streets of Kano or elsewhere, there are no tunnels to despair—only pathways to opportunity.
