Police in Kano State have intercepted a large cache of suspected explosives and illicit drugs in two separate operations across the metropolis, disrupting what investigators believe could be a major supply chain for criminal networks operating within and beyond the state.

The operations, carried out by specialized units of the Kano State Police Command, led to the recovery of detonating cords, thousands of electric detonators, cannabis, and pharmaceutical substances suspected to be abused as hard drugs. At least one suspect is in custody, and investigators say they are pursuing multiple leads that stretch across several states.

According to the command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the first operation followed a directive from the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje Bakori, to intensify intelligence-led raids on suspected criminal hideouts and storage locations within Kano’s densely populated urban neighborhoods.

Acting on a search warrant, officers from the Rijiyar Lemo Division stormed a residence in Tudun Bojuwa Quarters, Fagge Local Government Area. The area, a busy inner-city community, has long been on the radar of security agencies due to its maze of residential buildings and informal commercial activities that can provide cover for illicit operations.

Inside the residence, officers discovered two large sacks containing what were initially described as “suspected incriminating materials.” The nature of the items prompted the immediate involvement of the command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear unit, known as EOD-CBRN, which is trained to handle hazardous and potentially explosive substances.

Specialists from the EOD-CBRN unit conducted on-site recognition and identification of the contents. One of the sacks was found to contain six rolls of detonating cord, a high-energy material commonly used to initiate or link explosive charges. While detonating cord has legitimate industrial and mining applications, its diversion into criminal hands has been a persistent concern for security agencies, particularly in a region grappling with banditry, insurgency, and sabotage.

The second sack contained 20 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa, as well as 220 sachets of tablets believed to be Exol, a brand frequently cited by law enforcement as one of the drugs misused by youths and criminal gangs. 

Investigators have not yet disclosed the identity of the occupants of the residence or whether any arrests were made at the scene. However, Kiyawa confirmed that a detailed investigation is underway to trace the origin of the materials, identify their intended recipients, and determine whether the cache is linked to any known criminal or extremist groups.