Kano Declares Emergency on Drug Abuse With New Restrictions

(Abba Kabir Yusuf. Photo by PR Nigeria)

Abba Kabir Yusuf, the governor of Kano State, has issued executive orders proclaiming a public safety emergency on substance addiction and outlining comprehensive measures to stop drug trafficking and misuse throughout the state.

As part of the state's intensified efforts to combat drug-related offenses, the Executive Orders that were signed forbid the sale of illegal narcotics and unregistered pharmaceutical items without legitimate prescriptions.

Additionally, Governor Yusuf declared that travel in designated drug misuse hotspots will be prohibited between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. every day.

The order goes into effect immediately, he said.

Under the new measures, security agencies at both federal and state levels have been empowered to stop, search, arrest and prosecute suspected dr#g traffickers and users, with the governor further directing that Certificates of Occupancy of properties used for illicit dr#g sales and trafficking would be revoked.

Shortly after signing the Executive Orders, Governor Yusuf inaugurated a Multi-Agency Anti-Substance Abuse Task Force to enforce the Public Safety Emergency Order.

Explaining that the declaration was backed by the provisions of Section 97A of the Kano State Penal Code Law and Cap 89 of 1991, which empower the state government to act decisively against threats to public safety.

Describing dr#g abuse as one of the greatest threats to security and social stability in Kano, the governor lamented that the rising consumption of illicit substances among young people was fuelling violent crimes, destroying families, weakening the economy and undermining peace.

He said the task force has been mandated to identify, map and dismantle hideouts of "Daba" gangs, dr#g dens and other criminal enclaves across the state, adding that the committee is authorised to arrest, detain and prosecute gang leaders, members, sponsors and financiers involved in illicit dr#g trafficking.

Yusuf reaffirmed his administration's commitment to supporting the task force with adequate funding, operational vehicles, office accommodation, logistics and security, while guaranteeing its operational independence, noting that the committee would coordinate the state's response to dr#g abuse through intelligence gathering, enforcement, public awareness campaigns, rehabilitation programmes and collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders.

Responding on behalf of the committee, the Chairman of the Task Force, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, expressed appreciation to the governor for the confidence reposed in the members, pledging that the committee would discharge its responsibilities with integrity, professionalism and impartiality.

Rimingado said the task force would work closely with security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, educational institutions and community leaders to tackle dr#g abuse and promote lasting peace across Kano State, expressing confidence that the initiative would significantly reduce dr#g-related crimes and contribute to a safer and more prosperous state.

The task force comprises representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies and the business community.