Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State declared a public safety emergency on substance abuse on Wednesday, rolling out sweeping executive orders to tackle drug trafficking and consumption across the state. The directives ban the sale, distribution and use of illicit drugs, as well as the trade in unregistered pharmaceuticals without prescriptions.
Under the new measures, residents in communities flagged as drug abuse hotspots will face movement restrictions from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. daily. Security agencies now have authority to stop, search, arrest and prosecute suspected drug traffickers and offenders.
The governor announced that Certificates of Occupancy for properties used in drug sales or trafficking will be revoked. This move aims to dismantle criminal networks operating within Kano.
Yusuf backed the declaration with provisions from Section 97A of the Kano State Penal Code Law and Cap 89 of 1991, which grant the state government power to take extraordinary action against public safety threats. He signed the orders immediately after making the announcement.
The governor inaugurated a multi-agency Anti-Substance Abuse Task Force to enforce the emergency measures and coordinate implementation efforts. He described substance abuse as among the gravest dangers facing Kano, noting that widespread drug consumption among young people has fuelled violent crime, broken families, economic hardship and social breakdown.
The task force has been mandated to identify and dismantle hideouts used by Daba gangs, he said. Members will destroy drug dens and reclaim areas functioning as criminal strongholds throughout the state.
The committee received power to arrest, detain and prosecute gang leaders, members, sponsors and financiers involved in illicit drug operations. Yusuf pledged full government backing, promising adequate funding, vehicles, office space, logistics and security support while protecting the task force's independence.
The committee will oversee intelligence gathering, law enforcement operations, public awareness drives, rehabilitation programmes and coordination with security agencies and other partners, according to Yusuf. He stressed the need for a comprehensive response to the drug crisis.
Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, the task force chairman, thanked the governor for the appointment. He vowed the committee would discharge its duties with integrity and professionalism.
Rimingado said members understood the weight of their responsibility and would partner with police, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, schools and community chiefs. The task force will work to reduce drug-related crimes and restore peace in Kano, he added.
The committee includes representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Immigration Service.
