Headlines
Kano Anti-Drug Task Force Arrests Over 380 Suspects, Secures 230 Convictions in Two Months
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
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 its first two months of operation.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Chairman of the task force, Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the activities of the task force since its inauguration in July.
The task force was inaugurated on July 22, 2026, by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s response to drug abuse, illicit trafficking and related criminal activities.
It comprises security, law enforcement, health, traditional, religious and civil society stakeholders, with the objective of coordinating efforts against the growing drug problem in the state.
According to Barr Rimin Gado, the operations have targeted areas identified as drug joints and criminal black spots, including Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami and Kawo, among others.
He said the strategy was aimed at disrupting locations where drug users, dealers and suspected criminals converge, rather than limiting operations to individual arrests.
Earlier operations in Rimin Gado and Doka communities resulted in the arrest of 28 suspects and the recovery of assorted illicit substances.
By September, another operation covering Gandun Albasa, Kasuwar Rimi, Fagge and railway areas led to the arrest of at least 70 suspected drug users and others allegedly involved in related activities.
The task force has also linked drug abuse to other forms of street crime, including DABA, phone snatching and gang-related violence.
Several suspected gang members have been arrested and convicted, including Abdullahi Ahmad, popularly known as Horror; Abubakar Sada, known as Daburi; Abdullahi Sani, known as Sarki Ale; and Umar Aliyu.
43 Children Rescued
One of the cases highlighted by the task force involved 43 underage children who were rescued following investigations into alleged exploitation and exposure to intoxicating substances.
The children, who were engaged in street scavenging, were allegedly supplied with rubber solution and other intoxicating substances instead of receiving appropriate payment for their work.
Two men, Kabiru Isa, also known as Mada, and Usman Hamisu, known as Mani, were subsequently convicted and each sentenced to a cumulative nine years in prison without an option of fine, according to the task force and reports of the court proceedings.
The rescued children have undergone medical checks and are receiving counselling and treatment, while efforts are ongoing to identify and reunite them with their families.
Some of them have already been reunited with their relatives.
870,000 Pregabalin Capsules Seized
The campaign has also focused on the diversion of controlled medicines from legitimate supply chains.
The task force said it seized about 870,000 capsules of Pregabalin from a pharmaceutical company in Kano over suspected diversion for illicit use.
The chairman subsequently urged pharmaceutical stakeholders to strengthen their internal controls and cooperate with inspections and investigations.
The development comes amid separate operations by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, which reportedly seized 785,000 Pregabalin capsules weighing more than 669 kilogrammes in Sabon Gari, Kano, in September.
Multi-Agency Operations
The task force’s operations involve the police, NDLEA, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, Hisbah, Kano Road Traffic Agency and other stakeholders.
The multi-agency structure is intended to combine the powers, intelligence, personnel and resources of different institutions in tackling drug abuse and associated criminality.
The Kano State Government has also provided operational support, including five vehicles handed over to the task force in August to strengthen mobility, field operations and intelligence coordination.
125 Persons Referred for Rehabilitation
Beyond arrests and prosecutions, the task force says it is incorporating prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration into its strategy.
Its sensitisation campaign has taken anti-drug messages to communities, schools, markets, religious institutions and other public spaces, while people affected by drug abuse are being referred for rehabilitation.
About 125 people have been referred to the Kano Reformatory Institute in Kiru for treatment and rehabilitation.
However, the facility has reportedly reached capacity amid increased demand from families seeking help for relatives affected by drug abuse.
The state government has consequently provided an additional rehabilitation facility in Tofa Local Government Area to expand treatment capacity.
10,000 Youths Targeted
The task force has set a target of removing 10,000 vulnerable youths from the streets for rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration into society.
The proposed intervention includes medical detoxification, structured rehabilitation, vocational training and support for economic reintegration.
The task force is also engaging industrial stakeholders and other partners on employment and skills acquisition, recognising that sustainable recovery may depend on providing rehabilitated persons with productive livelihoods.
The initiative places responsibility not only on government and security agencies but also on families, employers, religious and traditional institutions, civil society organisations and the media.
The task force says communities must support people who successfully complete rehabilitation, while families and employers should help create conditions for their reintegration into society.
Two months into the operation, the task force says its activities have demonstrated the scale of Kano’s drug-related challenges while establishing a coordinated response involving enforcement, prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration.
The task force, however, acknowledges that two months is too short to declare victory over a problem that has developed over many years.
The longer-term test, according to the report, will be whether the intervention reduces the number of young people entering substance abuse, protects vulnerable children, supports sustainable recovery and creates productive opportunities for rehabilitated persons.
The task force says it intends to sustain the momentum by strengthening coordination among agencies and expanding its interventions across Kano State.
Its chairman has previously said the operations would extend to all 44 local government areas of the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
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