Kano Drug Task Force Arrests 380 Suspects, Secures 230 Convictions in Two Months

By Ladan Muhammad Garko

Targets 10,000 youths for rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration

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 Task Force, inaugurated on July 22, 2026, said it has also recovered various illicit drugs and dangerous weapons, rescued 43 underage children from exposure to intoxicants, and referred about 125 individuals for rehabilitation.

Speaking at a press briefing, the Chairman of the Task Force, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, Esq., said the operations were part of the state government’s drive to curb drug abuse, thuggery, phone snatching and other forms of criminality across Kano State.

380 Arrests, Drugs Recovered

According to the Task Force, joint enforcement operations have been conducted at several identified drug and criminal hotspots, including Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami, Kawo and Tashar Rimi, among others.

The operations, it said, resulted in the arrest of more than 380 suspects and the recovery of various substances, including Cannabis Sativa, Exol-5, Diazepam, Pentazocine, Tramadol, Pregabalin capsules, Rubber Solution and a designer drug containing methamphetamine.

The Task Force also reported the recovery of locally made weapons, including knives, cutlasses, daggers and clubs, which it said were found at some of the locations targeted during the operations.

870,000 Pregabalin Capsules Seized

The Task Force said one of its major concerns was the seizure of approximately 870,000 Pregabalin capsules from a pharmaceutical company in the state.

Rimin Gado said the circumstances surrounding the seizure raised concerns about the possible diversion of controlled medicines from legitimate pharmaceutical supply chains for illicit use.

He urged pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy managers, superintendent pharmacists and other industry personnel to strengthen their internal controls and cooperate with ongoing inspections and investigations.

He warned that individuals found culpable would face the consequences of the law.

230 Convictions Secured

The Task Force said more than 230 convictions have so far been secured from cases arising from its operations.

Among them, according to the chairman, are two rubber-solution dealers, Kabiru Isa, popularly known as Mada, and Usman Hamisu, also known as Mani, who were convicted over allegations that they exposed about 43 underage children to intoxicating substances.

The 43 children, who were reportedly engaged in street scavenging, have been rescued and placed under medical and psychosocial care.

The Task Force said some of the children have been reunited with their families, while efforts are continuing to trace the relatives of others.

Pentazocine Case Involving Former Rogo Council Chairman

The Task Force also highlighted a case involving the alleged administration and supply of Pentazocine.

It said it acted on a complaint involving the alleged administration of Pentazocine to a 63-year-old woman by Yahuza Musa, a former Chairman of Rogo Local Government Area.

The Task Force said a 24-year-old man also provided information alleging that he spent more than N10 million and gave a plot of land to obtain the same injection from the former council chairman.

According to the chairman, Musa has been charged before a competent court, where the matter is currently ongoing.

Crackdown on Daba and Phone-Snatching Syndicates

The Task Force said it has also intensified its campaign against Daba, the term commonly used in Kano to describe street thuggery and gang-related violence.

It said several suspected members of different gangs have been arrested and convicted, including individuals identified as Abdullahi Ahmad (Horror), Abubakar Sada (Daburi), Abdullahi Sani (Sarki Ale) and Umar Aliyu.

The chairman said the Task Force would continue to target individuals involved in drug-related violence and other criminal activities, including those who allegedly use social media to promote or encourage such behaviour.

In another operation, the Task Force said it uncovered a phone-snatching syndicate known as “Yan Liya,” which allegedly uses commercial tricycles, popularly known as Adaidaita Sahu, to steal mobile phones.

According to the Task Force, one suspect arrested in connection with the syndicate confessed to involvement in numerous phone thefts.

The chairman warned tricycle owners against knowingly allowing their vehicles to be used for criminal activities, saying the Task Force would pursue the forfeiture of vehicles established to have been used as instruments of crime.

125 People Referred for Rehabilitation

Beyond enforcement, the Task Force said it has intensified prevention, sensitisation and rehabilitation programmes across the state.

The programmes have been taken to communities, schools, markets, religious institutions and other public spaces to educate residents about the dangers of drug abuse.

The Task Force has also referred approximately 125 individuals to the Kano Reformatory Institute in Kiru for rehabilitation.

Rimin Gado said the growing demand for rehabilitation services had placed significant pressure on the existing facility, prompting the state government to provide an additional rehabilitation facility in Tofa Local Government Area.

He said the new facility would be equipped and put into operation to accommodate more people seeking treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration.

Task Force Targets 10,000 Youths

The chairman said the Task Force’s long-term objective is to rehabilitate and empower 10,000 youths, particularly those affected by drug abuse and street-related criminality.

He said the Task Force is engaging industrial stakeholders and other partners on employment, vocational training and skills-acquisition opportunities for rehabilitated youths.

The objective, he explained, is to ensure that people who complete rehabilitation can return to their communities with productive skills and opportunities for lawful livelihoods.

Task Force Commends Security Agencies and Partners

Rimin Gado attributed the progress recorded so far to the cooperation among security, enforcement and community-based institutions involved in the Task Force.

He commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, KOSSAP, Vigilante groups, Hisbah, KAROTA and other participating agencies.

He also acknowledged the contributions of non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions and the media.

The chairman said the Task Force would continue to rely on timely information from members of the public to identify drug-related activities, criminal hotspots and other threats to public safety.

He said the activities of the Task Force are aligned with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s stated objective of tackling drug abuse and related criminality under the administration’s “Kano First Agenda.”

“Kano does not manage the drug problem; Kano confronts it head-on,” Rimin Gado said, describing the progress recorded since the Task Force was inaugurated.

The chairman called on residents to continue supporting the campaign against drug abuse and criminality, saying sustained cooperation among government agencies, communities and other stakeholders would be critical to achieving a safer and more productive Kano.