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 at a press briefing on the committee’s activities and achievements since its inauguration by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on July 22, 2026.
Rimin Gado said the Task Force had intensified joint enforcement and dislodgment operations across the state as part of efforts to tackle drug abuse, illicit trafficking, thuggery, and related crimes.
He said the operations had led to the dismantling of several drug joints and criminal hideouts, including areas around Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami, Kawo, and Tashar Rimi.
According to him, the operations resulted in the arrest of more than 380 suspects and the recovery of assorted illicit substances, including Cannabis sativa, Exol-5, diazepam, pentazocine injections, tramadol, pregabalin capsules, and a designer drug containing methamphetamine.
The chairman also disclosed that security operatives recovered locally made weapons, including knives, cutlasses, daggers, and clubs, allegedly used by suspected drug dealers and thugs to terrorize residents and resist arrest.
Rimin Gado expressed concern over the alleged diversion of about 870,000 Pregabalin capsules from a pharmaceutical company in the state for illicit use.
He called on pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy managers, superintendent pharmacists, and other personnel to strengthen internal controls and ensure transparent supply chains, warning that anyone found culpable would face the law.
On convictions, the chairman said more than 230 suspects had been convicted, including two rubber-solution dealers, Kabiru Isa, popularly known as Mada, and Usman Hamisu, also known as Mani.
He said the two men were convicted for allegedly exposing 43 underage children engaged in street scavenging to intoxicants by supplying them with rubber solution instead of paying them for their services.
Rimin Gado said the rescued children had undergone medical examinations and were receiving counselling and treatment, while efforts were ongoing to identify and reunite them with their families.
He also disclosed that the Task Force was prosecuting a former chairman of Rogo Local Government Area, Yahuza Musa, over an allegation involving the administration of pentazocine to a 63-year-old woman.
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According to him, a 24-year-old man had also alleged that he spent more than N10 million and surrendered a plot of land to purchase the same injection from the former local government chairman.
Rimin Gado said the former chairman had been charged before a competent court and that the case was ongoing.
In the fight against thuggery, popularly known as “Daba”, he said several suspected gang members had been arrested and convicted, including Abdullahi Ahmad, alias Horror; Abubakar Sada, alias Daburi; Abdullahi Sani, alias Sarki Ale; and Umar Aliyu.
He said some of the suspects had allegedly used social media to promote and encourage violent behavior, adding that their convictions would serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman further disclosed a breakthrough against a phone-snatching syndicate known as “Yan Liya”, which allegedly uses commercial tricycles, popularly known as Adaidaita Sahu, to steal mobile phones.
He said the Task Force had arrested a suspected member of the syndicate, secured his conviction, and obtained the forfeiture of a tricycle allegedly used in the criminal activity.
Rimin Gado warned tricycle owners against knowingly allowing their vehicles to be used for criminal activities, saying the Task Force would pursue the forfeiture of any vehicle established to have been used as an instrument of crime.
Beyond enforcement, the chairman said the Task Force had embarked on sensitization campaigns in communities, religious institutions, schools, and markets to educate residents about the dangers of drug abuse.
He said about 125 individuals had also been referred to the Kano Reformatory Institute, Kiru, for rehabilitation.
Rimin Gado said the growing demand for rehabilitation had led to the Kano Reformatory Institute reaching capacity, prompting Governor Yusuf to provide an additional facility in Tofa Local Government Area.
He said the facility would be equipped and put into use immediately to accommodate more people seeking rehabilitation.
The chairman added that the Task Force was engaging industrial stakeholders on employment and skills-acquisition opportunities for rehabilitated youths.
He said the committee’s target was to take 10,000 youths off the streets, rehabilitate them, provide them with skills and reintegrate them into society as productive members of their communities.
Rimin Gado commended Governor Yusuf for what he described as his commitment and political will in establishing the multi-agency task force.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the NDLEA, police, DSS, NSCDC, Customs, Correctional Service, KOSSAP, Vigilante, Hisbah, KAROTA, and other security and community-based organizations.
He urged residents to continue providing timely and relevant information to the Task Force to support efforts to make Kano safer and address the challenges posed by drug abuse and illicit trafficking.