The Kano State Multi-Joint Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has warned politicians against using drug-influenced youths to cause violence, intimidation and unrest during the 2027 general election campaigns.
The chairman of the task force, Muhuyi Rimin-Gado, said any political thug found engaging in criminal activities under the influence of illicit drugs would be arrested and prosecuted, irrespective of the identity of their sponsors.
Rimin-Gado issued the warning during a briefing with journalists in Kano, where he outlined the state government’s new strategy to tackle drug abuse and its connection with violent crimes among youths.
He cautioned politicians against recruiting innocent young people to create tension during political activities, saying the task force would not allow the misuse of youths to cause deaths and injuries.
“The commission is out to tame enemies of progress who will be using our youths to cause untimely deaths and injure people,” he said.
The chairman disclosed that the state government had set a target of removing 10,000 drug users from the streets and rehabilitating them within one year as part of efforts to address substance abuse.
He explained that the programme would go beyond arrests and imprisonment by focusing on detoxification, rehabilitation, skills acquisition and economic empowerment.
“Our goal is to take away 10,000 people from the streets within one year. This is a different approach from only taking them to prison. We are thinking about rehabilitation,” Rimin-Gado said.
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According to him, beneficiaries would first undergo detoxification before being enrolled in rehabilitation programmes and trained in various skills to enable them to become productive members of society.
He listed tailoring, shoemaking, garment production and other crafts among areas where rehabilitated persons would receive training, adding that the programme would later expand to other trades and services.
Rimin-Gado said the initiative was aimed at addressing the link between drug abuse, unemployment and violent crimes, especially gun-related offences involving youths.
“If you look at our operations, when going after these youths, it is not because we hate them or do not want them. It is because we want them rehabilitated,” he said.
He added that the task force had started discussions with correctional authorities and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that released inmates could access rehabilitation and skills acquisition programmes to support their reintegration into society.
The chairman further explained that drug users would be treated based on the severity of their cases, noting that those involved in multiple substance abuse could face prosecution, while others could be placed under the supervision of parents or guardians.
He said the government also planned to create economic opportunities for rehabilitated persons by connecting them with markets in Kano State.
“We do not only eradicate the issue of drug dependence, drug abuse or gun violence; at the same time, we are building our economic potential,” he said.
Rimin-Gado expressed confidence that collaboration among government agencies, security institutions, correctional authorities, private sector operators and other stakeholders would ensure the success of the initiative.