The Chairman of the Kano State Inter-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Muhuyi Rimin-Gado, has warned politicians against mounting pressure on the committee to secure the release of suspected thugs and drug offenders arrested during its operations.
Rimin-Gado issued the warning on Tuesday during a strategic meeting with journalists in Kano, insisting that the task force would discharge its mandate without fear or favour.
He said no individual, irrespective of political influence or status, would be allowed to interfere with the committee’s operations.
“No politician should approach me to release any thug if we arrest him. This is Kano, and we are all indigenes of the state. We will not allow a few people to destroy its future,” he said.
“The only person who can ask me to release anybody is the Governor. If he does so, it simply means he is indirectly asking me to resign,” he added.
Rimin-Gado explained that the task force was established following Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf’s declaration of a statewide public health emergency on substance abuse on July 22.
According to him, the committee has been mandated to crack down on illicit drug traffickers, curb substance abuse, rehabilitate victims and ensure offenders are prosecuted.
“Our major target is the drug traffickers because they are the main enemies of society. We are also committed to creating mechanisms for rehabilitation and community engagement,” he said.
The chairman disclosed that data from the Kano State Police Command indicated that about 70 per cent of major crimes recorded in the state in 2025 were linked to drug abuse.
“If not for drug abuse, thousands of crimes would not have occurred. That is why the government is deeply concerned and established this multi-agency task force to confront the menace,” he said.
Rimin-Gado said the committee would also intensify efforts to dismantle violent gangs operating across the state, noting that the governor’s executive order had outlawed such groups under Section 97A of the Kano State Penal Code.
He explained that anyone found to be a member of a group declared unlawful under the law faces a minimum prison sentence of five years upon conviction.
The chairman said the task force would rely on intelligence gathering, collaboration with security agencies and active community participation to combat drug-related crimes and improve public safety.
He also urged parents to take greater responsibility for monitoring their children’s activities, describing parental supervision as a critical tool in preventing substance abuse and youth involvement in criminal activities.
“We must not parent only in name. Parents have a responsibility to monitor their children and guide them towards becoming responsible leaders of tomorrow,” he said.
Rimin-Gado further called on media organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders to support the campaign against drug abuse through sustained public enlightenment.
“This fight is not for the committee alone. It requires the support of the media, community leaders, parents and every resident of Kano. Together, we can protect the future of our state,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the multi-agency task force, inaugurated by Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, comprises representatives of security agencies in the state and was established to tackle drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking and gang-related violence.
source: NAN
