The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has honoured the Chairman of the Kano State Multi Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Muhuyi Magaji, as an Ambassador of the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA.
The recognition was conferred on Thursday, August 27, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the NDLEA Zone 5 Commander, ACGN Mohamed Ajiya, and members of his management team.
NDLEA Zone 5 covers Kano and Jigawa states.
A statement issued by Lamara Garba, Member of the Media and Publicity Committee, said the recognition was in appreciation of Magaji’s commitment to combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The agency also recognised his efforts in inter-agency collaboration, public awareness and community mobilisation.
Rather than treating the recognition as a ceremonial award, the NDLEA described the WADA Ambassador role as a renewed call for stronger advocacy and action against drug abuse.
Magaji: Drug war requires collective action
Reacting to the recognition, Magaji thanked the NDLEA and described the honour as both a privilege and a responsibility to intensify the campaign against drug abuse.
He stressed that no single government agency could win the drug war alone, calling for a coordinated effort involving government institutions, families, schools, communities, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations and the media.
According to him, prevention must begin at home, in schools and within communities, while security agencies must continue to disrupt drug trafficking networks.
“The fight against drug abuse is not the responsibility of law enforcement agencies alone. It is a collective responsibility,” Magaji said.
Focus shifts to prevention and early intervention
The WADA Ambassador also called for greater emphasis on prevention and early intervention, particularly among young people.
He said sustained public sensitisation and community-based programmes were necessary to prevent youths from becoming involved in drug abuse.
Magaji further advocated stronger cooperation among relevant agencies to improve intelligence sharing and ensure coordinated responses to drug-related threats.
He pledged that the Kano State Multi Agency Task Force would deepen its partnership with the NDLEA and other stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
He said protecting young people from the dangers of drugs remained critical to building a safer and more productive Kano State.
Magaji maintained that the WADA recognition should not be viewed as an end in itself but as a renewed mandate to mobilise more institutions and communities towards achieving a drug-free Kano State.