By Our Correspondent
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has approved the constitution of a Special Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as part of efforts to tackle the growing challenge of substance abuse and drug-related crimes in the state.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, 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.
Other members of the committee include Hon. A.A. Zaura; the Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); the Coordinator of Kiru Reformative Centre; representatives of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ministry of Health, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, Kano State Command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kano State Hisbah Board, Kano Emirate Council and the Council of Ulama.
Also appointed are Maryam Muhammad of Northwest University; Hon. Sani Isa Romi, Senior Special Assistant on Pharmaceuticals; Ambassador Yunusa Yusuf Hamza; DCI Abba Badamasi (Rtd.); and Ambassador Maryam Hassan of LESPADA.
Dr Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, Executive Secretary of the Consumer Protection Council, will serve as Secretary, while Aliyu Muhammad Sani, Director of Research and Evaluation at REPA, will serve as Co-Secretary.
The state government said the task force was established 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 committee 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 task force 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, it will develop mechanisms to ensure speedy prosecution of suspects through improved evidence gathering, standardised forensic procedures and collaboration with the judiciary for the establishment of fast-track courts to handle drug-related cases.
On the advocacy front, the committee is expected to spearhead public awareness campaigns targeting students, youths and other vulnerable groups, organise community engagement programmes, collaborate with religious and traditional institutions and promote rehabilitation and support services for persons affected by substance abuse.
Governor Yusuf described drug abuse as one of the greatest threats facing the future of young people and reiterated his administration’s commitment to deploying all available resources to address the challenge through enforcement, prevention and community participation.
He charged members of the task force to discharge their responsibilities with commitment, professionalism and patriotism in order to safeguard the future of Kano State.
The governor expressed confidence that the committee would play a pivotal role in strengthening the state’s fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
