KANO State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has inaugurated a Special Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as part of a renewed effort to combat the growing menace of substance abuse and drug-related crimes across the state.
News Point Nigeria reports that the initiative, announced in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, underscores the administration’s commitment to protecting young people and strengthening public safety through a coordinated, multi-agency approach.
Governor Yusuf appointed Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, the immediate past Executive Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, as chairman of the newly inaugurated task force.
The committee comprises representatives of key security agencies, health institutions, traditional and religious bodies, as well as civil society organisations.
Among its members are officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), 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, the Kano State Hisbah Board, the Kano Emirate Council, and the Council of Ulama.
According to the statement, the task force was established to provide a coordinated framework for disrupting illicit drug networks, accelerating the prosecution of offenders, and reducing drug demand through sustained advocacy and public enlightenment campaigns.
Its mandate includes strengthening intelligence gathering and information sharing among security agencies, identifying and dismantling drug trafficking syndicates, creating secure communication channels for intelligence operations, and encouraging community participation through confidential reporting mechanisms.
The committee is also expected to identify major drug distribution hubs across the state, facilitate targeted raids and arrests, and recommend the seizure of assets linked to drug trafficking activities.
To strengthen the administration of justice, the task force will develop mechanisms to ensure the speedy prosecution of suspects through improved evidence gathering, standardised forensic procedures, and collaboration with the judiciary to establish fast-track courts for drug-related cases.
Beyond enforcement, the committee has been charged with leading public awareness campaigns targeting students, youths, and other vulnerable groups.
It will also organise community engagement programmes, collaborate with religious and traditional leaders, and promote rehabilitation and support services for individuals affected by substance abuse.
Governor Yusuf described drug abuse as one of the gravest threats confronting the future of young people, stressing that his administration would deploy every available resource to tackle the challenge through enforcement, prevention, and active community participation.
He urged members of the task force to discharge their responsibilities with dedication, professionalism, and patriotism, noting that the success of the initiative is critical to securing a safer and healthier future for Kano State.
The governor added that the Special Task Force is expected to commence operations immediately as the state intensifies efforts to curb drug abuse, dismantle illicit trafficking networks, and improve public safety.