Drug Abuse Fuels 7 In 10 Serious Crimes In Kano —Task Force Chairman

The Chairman of the Kano State Joint Task Force Committee on Drug Abuse, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, has raised concerns over the growing impact of substance abuse on security in the state, revealing that nearly seven out of every 10 major crimes recorded in Kano are connected to drug use.

Speaking during a meeting with journalists in Kano, Rimin Gado urged the media to intensify public education on the dangers of drug abuse, illegal drug trafficking and gang-related violence, describing public awareness as a vital tool in the fight against the menace.

He said figures from the Kano State Police Command showed that 3,080 suspects were arrested for serious offences in the state last year, with about 70.2 percent of the cases traced to substance abuse.

According to him, addressing drug abuse would significantly reduce crime across the state.

“If drug abuse had been effectively addressed, thousands of these crimes would probably not have occurred. That is why the government is determined to confront the menace through this joint task force,” Rimin Gado said.

He explained that the task force was inaugurated after Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf declared substance abuse a public health emergency in Kano. The committee, he said, was established to curb the circulation of illicit drugs, provide rehabilitation for affected persons and ensure offenders are prosecuted.

Rimin Gado noted that the committee’s intervention would not be limited to arrests and prosecution but would also focus on prevention, treatment and community participation.

He added that the committee would work alongside security agencies, community leaders and other stakeholders to address the factors driving drug abuse and the crimes associated with it.

The chairman also warned that the government would take decisive legal action against individuals or groups involved in violent activities linked to substance abuse, stressing that anyone found threatening public peace and security would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.