Anti-Drug War: Kano Task Force Arrests 380, Secures 230 Convictions
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
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.
Chairman of the task force, Rimin Gado, disclosed this on Tuesday at a press briefing in Kano, saying the arrests followed joint operations targeting drug joints, criminal hideouts and hotspots across the state.
TheFact Daily reports that the task force was established by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in June 2026 as a multi-agency response to drug abuse and illicit trafficking, with a mandate covering intelligence gathering, enforcement, public enlightenment, rehabilitation and collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders. It was formally inaugurated on July 22.
Gado said the operations led to the recovery of Cannabis Sativa, Exol-5, Diazepam, Pentazocine, Tramadol and Pregabalin, as well as locally made weapons including knives, cutlasses, daggers and clubs. About 870,000 Pregabalin capsules were also seized from a pharmaceutical company over alleged diversion of controlled medicines.
He added that 43 underage children rescued from drug-related exploitation had received medical care, counselling and treatment, while about 125 people had been referred for rehabilitation. The task force is targeting 10,000 youths for rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration, with the state government providing an additional rehabilitation facility in Tofa after the Kiru facility reached capacity.
The chairman said the task force would sustain operations against drug abuse, thuggery and phone-snatching syndicates while working with security agencies and other stakeholders to create opportunities for rehabilitated youths.
