The Chairman Kano State multi agency joint task force on drug abuse and illicit trafficking Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado has given insight into the activities of the task force in the last two months after its inauguration
Addressing a Press Conference in kano,Bar Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said since its inception on the 22nd July 2026, the Task Force has intensified operations across the state to ensure its mandate of achieving a drug-free Kano is realized.
He said in line with this, the task force has within this period, carried out several joint dislodgment operations to dismantle drug joints where miscreants gather, take illicit substances, before engaging in mindless thuggery (DABA), phone snatching and other crimes and social vices.
According to him, the joints dislodged include Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami, Kawo Area, Tashar Rimi, among many other black spots across the metropolis and beyond.
He maintained that this was not just a dislodgment exercise. These operations led to the arrest of over 380 suspects and the recovery of assorted illicit substances including Cannabis Sativa, Exol-5, Diazepam, Pentazocine Injection, a designer drug containing Methamphetamine, Tramadol, Suck and Die, Rubber Solution, and Pregabalin Capsules.
*RECOVERY OF DANGEROUS WEAPONS*
Apart from this the committee has also succeeded in recovery of dangerous weapons In the course of its operation several dangerous locally made weapons used by the drug dealers and thugs to terrorize innocent citizens and resist arrest.
He explained that these weapons, which include knives, cutlasses, daggers, clubs and other offensive items, were seized from the miscreants at various joints and criminal hideouts. Their recovery has significantly reduced the capacity of these criminals to inflict harm on our communities.
Similarly the task force has raised alarm over the seizure of about 870,000 capsules of Pregabalin from one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the state, which were suspected to have been diverted for illicit use.
This contravenes both the Federal and Kano State Policy on warehouse operations for pharmaceuticals, considering where the substance was foundhe added.
The Chairman therefore expressed deep concern about evidence that controlled drugs are being diverted from legitimate supply chains and sold illicitly to young people in our communities. The Task Force therefore calls on pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy managers, superintendent pharmacists and all staff to cooperate fully with inspections and inquiries, to review and strengthen their internal controls, and to adopt transparent supply-chain practices. No one will be spared if found culpable.
EXCEPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE…….
*CHILD PROTECTION AND CONVICTIONS*
Among those arrested, over 230 convictions have already been secured. This includes the conviction of 2 rubber solution dealers Kabiru Isa (Mada) and Usman Hamisu (Mani), who were convicted for exposing about 43 underage children to intoxicants. These children, who were engaged in street scavenging, were supplied with rubber solution and other substances rather than receiving proper payment for their services.
The 43 underage children rescued have since undergone medical check-ups and are currently receiving counseling and treatment, while we continue to search for their families. Some families have already been identified and reunited.
*LANDMARK CASE*
In a landmark operation, the Task Force acted on a complaint of illegal Pentazocine administration to a 63-year-old woman by the former Chairman of Rogo Local Government, Yahuza Musa. This was corroborated by a 24-year-old young man who claimed he spent over Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) and a plot of land on the purchase of the same injection from the former Chairman.
The former Chairman has since been charged before a competent court of law and the case is ongoing.
*FIGHT AGAINST THUGGERY – DABA*
In our effort to curb the menace of mindless thuggery “DABA”, the Task Force has arrested and secured the convictions of several notorious members of different gangs, including Abdullahi Ahmad (Horror), Abubakar Sada (Daburi), Abdullahi Sani(Sarki Ale, and Umar Aliyu, among many others. Some of them are those who come out on social media to defend and brag about this illicit behaviour, inciting violence, and encouraging others to emulate this unwanted behaviour.
We assure the public that their convictions will serve as a deterrent to all those who think that drug abuse and mindless thuggery is business as usual.
*CRACKDOWN ON “YAN LIYA” PHONE SNATCHING SYNDICATE*
In another significant breakthrough, the Task Force has identified, arrested, secured conviction and forfeiture of a Tricycle (Adaidaita Sahu) belonging to a notorious phone-snatching syndicate known as *”YAN LIYA.”*
This syndicate specializes in using Keke Napep (Adaidaita Sahu) to steal people’s phones. The suspect, who confessed that he cannot even count the number of phones his syndicate has stolen, further revealed that the original owners of the tricycles mostly know the kind of illicit business their riders run. Instead of collecting the normal half-day payment, they often double the money, having full knowledge of what their Keke Napep is being used for.
On this note, I call on the general public to be very vigilant and careful when boarding Keke Napep, and I am issuing a stern warning to tricycle owners who knowingly release their machines for criminality – the Task Force will not only arrest the rider, but will secure forfeiture of the tricycle itself. No instrument of crime will be returned.
*PREVENTION, SENSITIZATION AND REHABILITATION*
To balance enforcement with prevention, the Task Force also engaged all relevant stakeholders in drug prevention and sensitization. From community sensitization to religious engagements, from schools to market places, the Task Force has taken its message to the nook and cranny of the state to ensure that those who have not started understand the repercussions of these illicit substances, thereby staying away from them. As we all know, prevention is better and cheaper than cure.
We have also referred about 125 individuals to undergo rehabilitation at the Kano Reformatory Institute, Kiru, because we recognize that drug abuse is also a sickness that requires a healing process.
*EXPANSION OF REHABILITATION FACILITIES – NEW FACILITY AT TOFA LOCAL GOVERNMENT*
Due to the growing acceptance and satisfaction by the public with the operations of the Task Force, both in Kinetic and Non-Kinetic approaches, there has been a massive increase in demand for rehabilitation. Families now voluntarily bring their loved ones for effective treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration.
As a result, the Kano State Reformatory Institute, Kiru has been filled to capacity by clients, which has created a necessary and urgent need for expansion.
In his characteristic commitment to accommodate and care for his citizens, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, has graciously provided an additional facility in Tofa Local Government Area, which will serve as an extension to accommodate the growing needs of the good people of Kano. This facility will be equipped and put into use immediately to ensure no one who seeks help is turned away.
For effective reintegration, the Task Force is engaging industrial stakeholders on possible strategies for creating employment, skills acquisition and other productive opportunities for youth who have undergone rehabilitation.
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 the society fully informed, reformed, and as people of trust and confidence to the community.
*APPRECIATION*
All these achievements are in line with the vision of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, of a drug-free Kano, under his “Abba Gida-Gida” and Kano First Agenda.
On behalf of the entire Task Force Committee, let me express our profound and sincere appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Your Excellency, thank you for your visionary leadership and uncommon political will. By bringing all relevant stakeholders together under one roof through the establishment of the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, you have done what many thought was impossible. You have broken the walls of inter-agency rivalry and replaced it with synergy.
In just a short period, this Task Force has already begun yielding positive results – joint operations are more coordinated, sensitization is reaching the grassroots, and our intelligence sharing is stronger than ever. You have proven that Kano does not manage the drug problem, Kano confronts it head-on.
I want to sincerely appreciate all the security agencies – the NDLEA, Police, DSS, NSCDC, Correctional Service, Hisbah, KAROTA and others, who have been part and parcel of the success recorded. I can’t thank you enough.
To our partners in the NGOs, CSOs, traditional and religious institutions, and the media – thank you for amplifying our messages positively and for standing with us.
Finally, I appreciate everyone who contributed to achieving these successes and I call on the community to continue to provide the Task Force with timely and relevant information to ensure that our streets are s
afe, and our businesses will continue to prosper for a better Kano.