Amidah Abdul Fatai
More than 380 suspects have been arrested and over 230 convictions secured in Kano State within two months of the government’s intensified crackdown on drug abuse, illicit trafficking and related criminal activities, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has disclosed.
Yusuf made the disclosure on Thursday while addressing residents at the 66th Independence Anniversary celebration held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium, Kano.
The governor said the arrests and convictions followed the establishment of the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in July 2026, alongside an Executive Order designed to strengthen the state’s response to illicit substances, thuggery and other forms of criminality.
He said the task force had, since its establishment, also dismantled several drug joints and criminal hideouts across the state.
According to him, the administration’s approach goes beyond arrests, as it is also focused on addressing the social and economic conditions that could expose young people to drugs and criminal activities.
Yusuf said, “The fight against drug abuse and criminality is a shared responsibility,” stressing that government agencies, security organisations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, communities, parents and individual citizens all have roles to play.
The governor appealed to youths in the state to shun drug abuse, violence and other forms of criminality, urging them instead to pursue education, agriculture, technology, entrepreneurship, vocational training and the creative industries.
He said the administration would continue to provide support to security agencies and strengthen community-based intelligence gathering as part of efforts to curb drug-related crimes and insecurity.
Yusuf also said his government would intensify efforts to address the social challenges contributing to crime, while creating opportunities for young people to engage in lawful and productive activities.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a safer environment in which young people could pursue legitimate livelihoods and contribute to the development of Kano State.
The governor’s disclosure comes amid growing concerns over the links between substance abuse, youth violence and other forms of criminality in parts of the state.
The administration said the multi-agency strategy was designed to bring together relevant government and security institutions in tackling the problem, rather than relying solely on conventional enforcement measures.
Yusuf urged parents, community leaders and other stakeholders to support the campaign by providing useful intelligence and helping young people resist pressure to engage in drug use, violence and criminal activities.
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