Without cutting corners, when the Chairman of Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and other Related Crimes, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, made an excellent presentation of the Task Force's scorecard before the State Executive Council meeting, Thursday, in Abuja Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf commended the effort with unwavering kudos.
The former Deputy Governor of the state Engineer Abdullahi T. M. Gwarzo and former Speaker of the State Assembly, Right Honourable Kabiru Alassan Rurum, alongside the 44 LG Chairmen through the Chairman of Gaya LG, Mahmoud Tajo Gaya endorsed all the operations so far. They all praised the Task Force for its courage and visible impact.
Another milestone in Barrister Rimingado's patriotic operations and engagements, is how parents started entrusting him with their children. They have started accepting the fact that, the Task Force is here to correct anomalies in the behavior of their wards.
One of such confidence was a case of one mother who took her child of less than 20 years of age to the office of the Chairman, Barrister Rimingado and lodged a serious complaint against her own biological son. She handed him over to the Task Force seeking for help from government, to force her son sit up. This scenario shook many.
Of good result, was how the Chairman accepted the request and assured that government would do everything possible to rehabilitate the son. He promised that the boy would not be taken to court for conviction. May be probably he wasn't caught in action. But would be taken to rehabilitation centre for behavior rehabilitation purpose.
Also adding a grassroots voice, the Chairman of Gaya during Barrister Rimingado's presentation at the Council Chamber rcommended the feat but urged the Task Force to design strategies that extend beyond metropolitan Kano to rural local governments. They assured that they all appreciate the good result seen in the metropolis. As such open vices are drastically reduced in just two months period of the Task Force operations.
When he addressed the State Executive Council he came with more than a speech. He came with results. His presentation indicated that his assignment is more than a Task Force, but a movement. His isn't a political movement, but far beyond that.
His is a well coordinated social movement. That changes long held diluted way of thinking. With Barrister Rimingado's unwavering and committed effort, and with Governor Yusuf's patriotic political will, Kano is winning the war against drug abuse and other related crimes.
What he presented was a holistic scorecard before the State Executive Council. The faces and comments of the Exco members informed my decision of naming it "A Council Of Endorsement." They follow the exact footsteps of His Excellency the Governor in this all-sides fight against the long disturbing menace.
Principally the Governor commended the Task Force for breaking inter-agency walls and replacing rivalry with synergy - bringing NDLEA, Police, DSS, NSCDC, Correctional Service, Hisbah, KAROTA and other agencies under one roof to achieve a drug-free Kano in line with his "Abba Gida-Gida and Kano First Agenda." That is taking societal reorientation to individual households, Gida-Gida methodology. Which becomes a model.
The endorsement of the Task Force by the Governor and Exco members was a clear call for the citizens to always cooperate and support the effort. That call aligns perfectly with the Task Force's own roadmap. As Rimingado stated in his briefing, "We have taken our message to the nooks and crannies of the state - schools, markets, motor parks, religious houses - because prevention is better and cheaper than cure."
It is important to note that, two months after its inauguration on 22nd July 2026, the Task Force has delivered what many administrations only promised - a coordinated, aggressive and humane offensive against drugs and related crimes. As natural and committed as it appears, this fight gives sense of direction and ownership to Governor Yusuf's administration in setting pace for progress and development.
The figures, of seizure and achievements listed before the Council members, are unprecedented.
It is important to note that, a series of joint strategic dislodgment operations across notorious black spots - Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami, Kawo, Tashar Rimi and many others across the metropolis and beyond - the Task Force did an examplary engagement of forces against the menace.
It has arrested over 380 suspects and recovered a frightening cache of illicit substances: Cannabis Sativa, Exol-5, Diazepam, Pentazocine Injection, Methamphetamine designer drugs, Tramadol, Suck and Die, Rubber Solution and Pregabalin capsules. This is what I term From Black Spots To Courtrooms.
More telling is the speed of justice. The Task Force Chairman disclosed to the hearing of the Governor and other Exco members that, over 230 convictions have already been secured in just two months. A clear signal to display that this is not business as usual.
The operations also yielded in seizing dangerous locally made weapons - knives, cutlasses, daggers and clubs - used by drug dealers and thugs to terrorize citizens and resist arrest. Rimingado charges the narrative. What is needed now is continuous support from the Governor, for sustainable operations and achievements. As people also need to be cooperative and supportive.
It is highly terrifying to understand what the Chairman described as a matter of serious concern as a result of their deeply rooted operations. As he disclosed that the Task Force seized about 870,000 capsules of Pregabalin from a leading pharmaceutical company in the state, suspected to have been diverted for illicit use.
Rimingado warned that no pharmaceutical company, pharmacy manager or superintendent pharmacist found culpable in diverting controlled drugs to the streets will be spared.
In what can best be describe as features of urbanization and sound more chilling was the conviction of two rubber solution dealers, Kabiru Isa (Mada) and Usman Hamisu (Mani), for exposing 43 underage children engaged in street scavenging to intoxicants instead of paying them. The 43 children have been rescued, medically examined, and are undergoing counselling and treatment while efforts are on to reunite them with their families.
Barrister Rimingado touches areas that are more disturbing and frustrating in the related crimes.
That is in line with its expanded mandate against related crimes, the Task Force has taken the war to the heart of thuggery (DABA). Notorious gang members including Abdullahi Ahmad (Horror), Abubakar Sada (Daburi), Abdullahi Sani (Sarki Ale) and Umar Aliyu - some of whom brazenly promote violence on social media - have been arrested and convicted.
In another landmark breakthrough, the Task Force smashed the notorious phone-snatching syndicate known as "Yan Liya" which uses Tricycle (A Daidaita Sahu) for operations. Beyond conviction of the suspects, the Task Force secured forfeiture of their operational tricycles. He as well issued a stern warning to tricycle owners who knowingly double their daily returns by releasing their machines for criminality: the rider will be arrested and the machine forfeited.
In what displays a no-nonsense posture, the Task Force also charged the former Chairman of Rogo Local Government, Yahuza Musa, before a competent court for illegal administration of Pentazocine Injection to a 63-year-old woman, following a complaint corroborated by a 24-year-old youth who claimed he spent over Ten Million Naira and a plot of land on the same injection from the former Chairman.
The other side of enforcement that sheds more light on Kano’s model and other interventions elsewhere is the issue of rehabilitation. What distinguishes this Task Force is its balance of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. While enforcement is aggressive, prevention and healing remain central. Modern technique of operations.
Barrister Rimingado disclosed before the Council members that about 125 individuals have been referred for rehabilitation at the Kano Reformatory Institute, Kiru, and that due to massive public acceptance - with families now voluntarily bringing their wards - the Kiru facility is filled to capacity.
Responding to this situation swiftly, Governor Yusuf has provided an additional facility in Tofa Local Government as an extension to ensure no one who seeks help is turned away.
The ultimate target, according to the Chairman, is "... to sweep 10,000 youths off the streets, rehabilitate them, equip them with skills acquisition and reintegrate them as reformed, trusted members of society. Stakeholders in the industrial sector are already being engaged to create employment pathways for them."
Of much interest is the understanding that the feats in the last two months indicated that the war on drugs can be won when there is political will, inter-agency synergy, and leadership with integrity.
Look at it this way, 380 arrests. Over 230 convictions. 870,000 diverted capsules intercepted. 43 children rescued. Notorious DABA gangs convicted. YAN LIYA syndicate dismantled. 125 youths in rehabilitation. A new facility in Tofa. And a target of 10,000 youths for full reintegration. Reason why I said it is no longer just a Task Force. It is a movement.
If sustained, from the look of things it will, Kano will not only become drug-free; it will provide Nigeria with a template on how to confront drug abuse head-on - with justice, compassion, and resolve.
Just as his first intention that clearly indicates, His Excellency the Governor assured the Task Force that he would continue playing his role very well to make sure that the Task Force succeeds. Political will at its best position.
As gratifying as it appears a situation where parents are taking their children to authorities for either conviction, rehabilitation or both, is a clear case of public acceptance and support.
Viva Governor Yusuf
Viva Kano State
Viva Muhuyi
Anwar writes from Kano
Saturday, 26th September, 2026
