Gov. Yusuf establishes special task force to tackle drug abuse in Kano
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the constitution of a Special Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
This initiative forms part of his administration’s renewed commitment to combating the growing menace of substance abuse and drug-related crimes in Kano State.
The announcement was contained in an official statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
The task force will be chaired by Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, the immediate past Executive Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.
The multi-agency committee comprises key stakeholders, including Hon. A.A. Zaura, the Commander of Narcotics for the NDLEA, the Coordinator of the Kiru Reformative Centre, and representatives from the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the Ministry of Health.
To ensure robust enforcement and intelligence sharing, the team also includes representatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Kano State Hisbah Board.
Traditional and religious institutions are equally represented via the Kano Emirate Council and the Council of Ulama, alongside academic and civil society voices such as Maryam Muhammad from Northwest University and Ambassador Maryam Hassan of LESPADA.
Dr. Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, the Executive Secretary of the Consumer Protection Council, will serve as Secretary, assisted by Co-Secretary Aliyu Muhammad Sani, the Director of Research and Evaluation at REPA.
The state government established the task force to provide a coordinated, multi-agency framework aimed at disrupting illicit drug networks, accelerating the prosecution of offenders, and reducing drug demand through sustained advocacy and public enlightenment campaigns.
Under its terms of reference, the task force is expected to strengthen intelligence gathering and information sharing among security agencies, identify and dismantle drug trafficking networks, establish secure communication channels for intelligence operations, and encourage community participation through confidential reporting mechanisms.
The committee is also mandated to identify major drug distribution points across the state, facilitate targeted raids and arrests, and recommend measures for the seizure of assets linked to drug trafficking activities.
In addition, the task force will develop mechanisms to ensure the speedy prosecution of suspects through improved evidence gathering, standardized forensic procedures, and collaboration with the judiciary to establish fast-track courts dedicated to drug-related cases.
Governor Yusuf described drug abuse as one of the greatest threats facing the future of young people, reiterating his administration’s determination to deploy all available resources to tackle the challenge through enforcement, prevention, and active community participation.
He charged members of the task force to discharge their responsibilities with absolute commitment, professionalism, and patriotism to safeguard the future of Kano State