The Kano State Inter-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has issued a stern warning to political figures seeking the release of suspects detained in its crackdown on drug dealers and street gangs.
Task force Chairman Muhuyi Rimin-Gado warned politicians against attempting to exert influence during a strategic meeting with media executives in Kano on Tuesday. He made it clear that the agency would execute its duties without fear or favour.
“No politician should approach me to release any thug if we arrest him,” Rimin-Gado said. “We will not allow a few people to destroy [the state’s] future.”
He added that only the Governor held the authority to request a suspect’s release, noting, “If he does so, it simply means he is indirectly asking me to resign.”
The task force was established by Governor Abba Yusuf after he declared a statewide public health emergency on substance abuse on 22 July. Composed of representatives from various security agencies, the multi-agency committee is mandated to target drug traffickers, curb abuse, rehabilitate victims, and prosecute offenders.
Rimin-Gado noted that dismantling violent gangs remains a priority, citing an executive order signed by the governor that outlaws such groups under Section 97A of the Kano State Penal Code. Conviction for belonging to an unlawful group carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison.
The crackdown follows concerning figures from the Kano State Police Command, which revealed that roughly 70 per cent of major crimes in the state in 2025 were linked to drug abuse. Rimin-Gado stressed that tackling major suppliers was the agency’s primary focus, identifying traffickers as “the main enemies of society.”
To achieve its goals, the task force plans to rely on intelligence gathering, joint operations with security services, and community participation.
Closing his address, Rimin-Gado appealed to parents, media organisations, and community leaders for their support. He urged parents to actively monitor their children to prevent youth crime, emphasising that safeguarding the state’s future requires a collective effort from all residents.