The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested more than 380 suspects and secured over 230 convictions since it was inaugurated in July.
Chairman of the task force, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the committee’s activities since Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf inaugurated it on July 22, 2026.
Rimin Gado said the task force had conducted coordinated operations across several drug markets, criminal hideouts and areas identified as hotspots for illicit activities.
He listed Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami and Kawo among the areas targeted during the operations.
According to him, the raids led to the recovery of several illicit substances, including Cannabis Sativa, Exol-5, Diazepam, Pentazocine, Methamphetamine, Tramadol, Rubber Solution and Pregabalin capsules.
The operations also resulted in the seizure of locally manufactured weapons, including knives, cutlasses, daggers and clubs.
Rimin Gado expressed particular concern over the alleged diversion of controlled pharmaceutical products from legitimate supply chains into the illicit drug market.
He disclosed that about 870,000 Pregabalin capsules were seized from a pharmaceutical company in the state over suspected diversion for unlawful use.
He warned pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy managers, superintendent pharmacists and other stakeholders to strengthen their internal monitoring systems and cooperate with regulatory inspections.
The chairman said anyone found to have violated the law would be prosecuted.
Two convicted over supply of intoxicants to children
Rimin Gado also disclosed that two Rubber Solution dealers, Kabiru Isa, popularly known as Mada, and Usman Hamisu, also known as Mani, had been convicted for allegedly exposing 43 underage children to intoxicating substances.
He said the children were street scavengers who were allegedly given Rubber Solution and other intoxicants instead of being properly paid for their work.
According to him, all 43 children have been rescued and subjected to medical examinations, while counselling and treatment are ongoing.
He said the task force was also working to reunite the children with their families.
The chairman further disclosed that a former chairman of Rogo Local Government Area, Yahuza Musa, was facing prosecution over an allegation involving the illegal administration and sale of Pentazocine.
He said the case followed a complaint concerning the alleged administration of the controlled drug to a 63-year-old woman.
Rimin Gado added that a 24-year-old man had also allegedly claimed to have spent N10 million and surrendered a plot of land to obtain the injection from the former council chairman.
The allegations are before the appropriate authorities and will be determined through due process.
Task force targets gangs, phone snatching
The task force chairman said several suspected members of gangs involved in what he described as “DABA”, or mindless thuggery, had also been convicted.
Those mentioned included Abdullahi Ahmad, popularly known as Horror; Abubakar Sada, also known as Daburi; Abdullahi Sani, known as Sarki Ale; and Umar Aliyu.
He also disclosed that the task force had arrested a suspected member of the “Yan Liya” phone-snatching syndicate.
A tricycle allegedly used in the commission of the offence was seized, with the task force securing its forfeiture.
Rimin Gado warned tricycle owners against knowingly allowing their vehicles to be used for criminal activities.
He said the task force would pursue the forfeiture of vehicles established to have been used as instruments of crime.
125 referred for rehabilitation
Beyond arrests and prosecutions, the task force said it had expanded its activities to prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration.
Rimin Gado said sensitisation campaigns had been conducted in communities, schools, markets and religious institutions to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
He disclosed that about 125 people had so far been referred to the Kano Reformatory Institute in Kiru for rehabilitation.
The increasing number of people requiring rehabilitation, he said, had pushed the Kiru facility to capacity.
As a result, Governor Yusuf had provided an additional rehabilitation facility in Tofa Local Government Area to accommodate more people requiring treatment and rehabilitation.
Rimin Gado said the task force’s longer-term objective was to remove 10,000 youths from the streets, rehabilitate them and equip them with skills that could support their reintegration into society.
He said discussions were also underway with industrial stakeholders to create opportunities for skills acquisition and employment for rehabilitated youths.
The chairman commended the various agencies and institutions supporting the task force, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service and Nigerian Correctional Service.
He also acknowledged the roles of KOSSAP, vigilante groups, Hisbah, Kano Road Traffic Agency, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations and the media in the campaign against drug abuse and related crimes.
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