The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking says it has arrested more than 380 suspects and secured over 230 convictions within two months of its inauguration.
The Chairman of the Task Force, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the activities and achievements of the committee since its inauguration on July 22, 2026, by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Rimin Gado said the Task Force had carried out several joint enforcement and dislodgment operations targeting drug joints and criminal hideouts across Kano metropolis and other parts of the state.
He listed areas affected by the operations to include Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami, Kawo and other identified black spots.
According to him, the operations resulted in the arrest of over 380 suspects and the recovery of various illicit and controlled substances, including Cannabis Sativa, Exol-5, Diazepam, Pentazocine, Tramadol, Pregabalin capsules, Rubber Solution and a designer drug containing Methamphetamine.
The chairman also disclosed that the Task Force recovered several locally made weapons allegedly used by drug dealers and suspected thugs, including knives, cutlasses, daggers, clubs and other offensive weapons.
He expressed particular concern over the alleged diversion of about 870,000 Pregabalin capsules from a pharmaceutical company for illicit use, warning pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy managers, superintendent pharmacists and other personnel against practices that could facilitate the diversion of controlled drugs.
“ No one will be spared if found culpable,” Rimin Gado warned, while calling on pharmaceutical stakeholders to strengthen their internal controls and ensure transparent supply-chain practices.
On child protection, the chairman said more than 230 convictions had already been secured from cases prosecuted by the Task Force.
He cited the conviction of two Rubber Solution dealers, Kabiru Isa, popularly known as Mada, and Usman Hamisu, also known as Mani, for allegedly exposing 43 underage children to intoxicants.
He said the children, who were involved in street scavenging, had been rescued and subjected to medical examination, counselling and treatment, while efforts were ongoing to trace and reunite them with their families.
Rimin Gado also disclosed that the Task Force was prosecuting a former Chairman of Rogo Local Government Area, Yahuza Musa, over an alleged case involving the administration and procurement of Pentazocine.
He said the former council chairman had been charged before a competent court and that the case was ongoing.
On the fight against thuggery, popularly known as “Daba,” the chairman said the Task Force had arrested and secured convictions against several alleged gang members, including Abdullahi Ahmad, popularly known as Horror; Abubakar Sada, also known as Daburi; Abdullahi Sani, known as Sarki Ale; and Umar Aliyu.
He said the convictions were intended to serve as a deterrent to youths involved in drug abuse, thuggery and other forms of criminality.
The chairman further announced a breakthrough in the fight against phone snatching, saying the Task Force had arrested a suspected member of a syndicate known as “Yan Liya,” which allegedly uses tricycles, popularly called Adaidaita Sahu, to snatch mobile phones from members of the public.
According to him, the Task Force secured the conviction of the suspect and the forfeiture of a tricycle allegedly used in the commission of the offence.
Rimin Gado warned owners of tricycles against knowingly allowing their vehicles to be used for criminal activities, saying the Task Force would seek forfeiture of any vehicle established to have been used as an instrument of crime.
Beyond enforcement, the chairman said the Task Force had intensified prevention, sensitisation and rehabilitation programmes across the state, engaging communities, religious institutions, schools and markets on the dangers of drug abuse.
He disclosed that about 125 individuals had so far been referred to the Kano Reformatory Institute, Kiru, for rehabilitation.
He said the growing demand for rehabilitation had led to the Kano Reformatory Institute reaching capacity, prompting Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to provide an additional facility in Tofa Local Government Area to accommodate more persons seeking treatment and rehabilitation.
Rimin Gado said the Task Force was also engaging industrial stakeholders on employment and skills-acquisition opportunities for rehabilitated youths to facilitate their reintegration into society.
“Our target is to sweep 10,000 youths off the streets, rehabilitate them, and train them in skills acquisition, so that they can go back into society fully informed, reformed, and as people of trust and confidence to the community,” he said.
The chairman attributed the achievements of the Task Force to the administration’s commitment to tackling drug abuse and related criminality, as well as improved collaboration among security and enforcement agencies.
He commended the NDLEA, Police, DSS, NSCDC, Customs, Nigerian Correctional Service, KOSSAP, Vigilante, Hisbah, KAROTA and other agencies for their cooperation.
He also acknowledged the contributions of non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions, and the media in supporting the Task Force’s prevention and enforcement efforts.
Rimin Gado urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Task Force and other security agencies to support efforts to curb drug abuse, thuggery, phone snatching and other forms of criminality across Kano State.
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