Muhuyi’s 60 Days: Kano Intensifies the Fight Against Drug Abuse

Sixty days into his leadership of the newly established Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado is leading an expanded campaign that increasingly moves beyond conventional arrests and raids to intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, prosecution, rehabilitation, and community engagement.

Since the task force was inaugurated in July, a succession of activities reported by SolaceBase has shown an administration attempting to confront drug abuse not only as a criminal justice problem but also as a public health, youth and social development challenge.

The task force’s activities have included raids on suspected drug hotspots, arrests and prosecution of suspects, cooperation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the creation of specialised committees, plans to deploy artificial intelligence in tracking drug dealers and pharmaceutical sales, and proposals for rehabilitation centres across Kano’s three senatorial zones.Sports news

The breadth of the approach has also earned Muhuyi recognition from the NDLEA, which named him a War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Ambassador in August, citing his efforts to promote inter-agency collaboration, public awareness, community mobilisation and coordinated action.Kano local news

The development is significant for Kano, where drug abuse has increasingly been associated with concerns about youth vulnerability, street crime, violence and social instability.

Muhuyi’s appointment came against the background of growing concern over the scale of drug abuse in the state.Government

A SolaceBase opinion published shortly before the task force’s inauguration cited the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, which estimated Kano’s prevalence at 16 per cent, representing about 1.07 million users.

The figures are historical rather than a current prevalence estimate, but they illustrate the scale of the problem that informed the government’s intervention.

After his appointment, Muhuyi quickly outlined a strategy that combined enforcement with intelligence, prevention, and rehabilitation.

One of the earliest indications of that approach came on August 3, when he announced plans to deploy artificial intelligence to track drug dealers and monitor pharmaceutical sales.

The proposed technology-driven system suggested that the task force intended to look beyond street-level enforcement and examine how drugs move through commercial and pharmaceutical channels.

SolaceBase reported the proposal as an initiative, meaning its announcement should be distinguished from evidence that the system had already become operational. The task force also moved to deepen cooperation with agencies already involved in the drug-control effort.

During a familiarisation visit to the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command in August, the agency pledged stronger collaboration with the task force. NDLEA officials stressed that the drug problem required an approach beyond arrests and seizures, including prevention, education and community engagement.Kano local news

That partnership subsequently produced institutional recognition when the NDLEA Zone 5 Command honoured Muhuyi as a WADA Ambassador.

Rather than presenting the recognition as proof that the drug problem had been solved, Muhuyi described it as a greater responsibility and stressed that no single agency or individual could win the war against drug abuse alone.

Another feature of Muhuyi’s first two months has been the attempt to give the task force an institutional structure.

On August 22, he inaugurated nine subcommittees charged with strengthening different aspects of the campaign against drug abuse and trafficking.

The development is important because a drug-control campaign that depends entirely on the activities of one chairman or periodic security operations is unlikely to become sustainable.

The broader structure envisaged by the task force includes intelligence, public sensitisation, community participation, enforcement, rehabilitation and coordination with other institutions.

The proposed Forward Operating Base is another part of that strategy. According to information gathered in September, preparations were underway for a mechanism where information concerning drug abuse, marketing, production and criminal hideouts could be received around the clock, including through call centres.

Again, this remains a planned mechanism rather than an established achievement, but it illustrates the direction in which the task force says it wants to move.

The enforcement side of the campaign has been extensive. The task force has reported more than 200 raids and more than 200 convictions within 45 days, with four mobile courts established to facilitate quicker prosecution.

The operations have also targeted particular hotspots and alleged supply networks.

One of the most prominent cases involves Yahuza Musa, a former chairman of Rogo Local Government Area, who was arrested following an undercover operation over allegations concerning the illegal sale and administration of fentanyl injections to young people.

Muhuyi said the investigation began after the task force arrested a young man whose hand had allegedly deteriorated severely following injections.

The young man allegedly identified Musa as the source of the substance, leading to the undercover operation and subsequent arrest.

Musa was charged under Section 249 of the Kano State Penal Code in connection with allegations involving harmful or intoxicating substances.Kano local news

The task force has demonstrated an interest in pursuing alleged suppliers through investigation and prosecution rather than limiting its operations to street-level users.

Perhaps the most consequential aspect of the new approach is the recognition that arrests alone cannot resolve Kano’s drug problem.Government

The task force has proposed a programme to rehabilitate 10,000 youths affected by drug abuse within one year.

The proposed programme would involve drug testing, detoxification and rehabilitation, followed by vocational training in areas including garment production, shoemaking, bag making, electrical work and solar technology.

The thinking behind the programme is straightforward: people trapped in substance abuse cannot simply be removed from the streets and expected to become productive without treatment, skills and an opportunity to rebuild their lives.

The proposed programme therefore attempts to distinguish between those who profit from drug trafficking and vulnerable people struggling with addiction.

That distinction is crucial. A trafficker deliberately supplying dangerous substances to young people presents a different challenge from a young person who has become dependent on those substances.

The first demands enforcement and prosecution; the second may require medical treatment, counselling, rehabilitation and economic reintegration. The task force’s proposed approach attempts to address both.

The rehabilitation strategy has also begun to take a geographical dimension. On September 4, SolaceBase reported that the task force was considering establishing ad-hoc centres across Kano North, Kano Central and Kano South to bring substance-abuse prevention and rehabilitation services closer to affected communities.Kano local news

The proposal emerged from discussions between the task force and the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Dawanau, and is intended to cover prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and community engagement.

The collaboration is significant because it places a health institution alongside security agencies in the response.

It also suggests that the task force is beginning to treat rehabilitation as a service that should be available within communities rather than something reserved for people already caught in the criminal justice system.

The human consequences of drug abuse have also featured prominently in the task force’s activities.

Among the cases reported during the period was the rescue of vulnerable children exposed to intoxicating substances and the prosecution of people accused of supplying such substances.

These cases underscore why the drug issue cannot be viewed solely through statistics on arrests and seizures.

Every arrest can represent a criminal case, but every affected young person also represents a family, a lost opportunity and potentially a future that could be recovered through timely intervention.

The experience of some families during the operations has also brought another dimension of the campaign into focus.

Some mothers were seen crying and pleading with Muhuyi after their sons were arrested, asking that their children be given another chance.

Their appeals highlight the difficult position of families confronting drug abuse. While parents may want authorities to take action against drug dealers and those who expose young people to harmful substances, they may also fear losing their own children to addiction, imprisonment or a life of crime.

This is why the rehabilitation and skills-acquisition component of the task force’s strategy is particularly important.

A young person who can be treated, rehabilitated, trained and returned to productive life represents not only an individual recovery but also relief for a family and a potential benefit to the wider community.

Muhuyi’s first 60 days have combined enforcement with institutional development in a way that has made the campaign highly visible.

His previous experience as chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission is part of the background to his appointment.

Before taking charge of the drug task force, he had become associated with investigations and enforcement in the anti-corruption sphere. SolaceBase reported that background when examining his appointment to lead the drug crackdown.

In his new role, that enforcement-oriented experience has been applied to a different problem.

The approach has so far combined raids with intelligence, prosecution with rehabilitation, and security operations with community mobilisation.

The AI proposal points towards technology, while the nine subcommittees point towards institutionalisation. The NDLEA partnership demonstrates a commitment to inter-agency coordination, while the three-zone rehabilitation proposal points towards decentralisation.

The 10,000-youth programme, meanwhile, reflects an emphasis on rehabilitation, skills development and reintegration.

Together, these initiatives suggest that the task force is trying to construct a system rather than simply conduct operations.

Parents must join the fight

For the campaign to achieve lasting results, however, the responsibility cannot rest on Muhuyi and government agencies alone.

Parents have an important role to play, particularly because they are often the first to notice changes in the behaviour of their children.

The scenes of mothers crying and pleading for their sons after arrests should also encourage families to become involved much earlier, before a young person reaches the point of arrest.

Parents should pay attention to sudden behavioural changes, new associations, unexplained spending, school absenteeism and other signs that may indicate that a child is becoming vulnerable to substance abuse.

Rather than waiting for security agencies to intervene, families should seek help from health professionals, counsellors, schools, religious institutions and other appropriate channels when they notice warning signs.

Schools also need to strengthen drug-awareness programmes, while religious and traditional leaders can use their platforms to educate young people and families about the dangers of substance abuse.

Communities, meanwhile, can support the task force by providing credible information about drug trafficking and distribution networks while allowing security agencies to conduct proper investigations.

The government should equally continue providing the resources needed for rehabilitation, treatment, intelligence gathering and public sensitisation.

The proposed rehabilitation centres across the three senatorial zones could be particularly valuable if properly funded and staffed by qualified professionals.

The planned 10,000-youth rehabilitation programme should also be supported with transparent monitoring, vocational equipment and opportunities for beneficiaries to become economically independent after treatment.

The fight against drug abuse should therefore not end with arrest or conviction. It should also create a pathway for vulnerable young people to recover, acquire skills and return to their families and communities as productive citizens.

Muhuyi’s first 60 days have put considerable energy behind Kano’s response to drug abuse.Government

The task force has moved from its inauguration to raids, arrests and prosecution while simultaneously building partnerships, establishing committees, exploring technology and developing plans for rehabilitation.

The NDLEA’s recognition of Muhuyi as a WADA Ambassador has further highlighted the emphasis being placed on collaboration and community mobilisation.

The proposed AI system needs to move from announcement to implementation. The intelligence and call-centre mechanism needs to become functional.

The proposed rehabilitation centres need adequate funding, qualified personnel and medical support. The 10,000-youth programme needs to be properly implemented and monitored.

Most importantly, parents and communities need to remain part of the campaign. Muhuyi’s first 60 days have demonstrated a clear willingness to confront drug abuse through both enforcement and broader social intervention.

The next phase should deepen that approach by strengthening rehabilitation, supporting families, expanding public enlightenment and ensuring that young people who can be helped are given a genuine opportunity to recover.

For Kano, the fight against drug abuse is ultimately a fight for its young people. And if government agencies, parents, communities, health institutions, schools, religious and traditional leaders continue to work together, the momentum generated in Muhuyi’s first 60 days can become the foundation for a sustained response to one of the state’s most pressing social challenges.

(SolaceBase)

Muhuyi’s Assignment, Abba's Edge: How Anti-Drug War Reshapes Kano's 2027 Race - By Abba Anwar

A triple alliance of faith and state could have been the best caption for this piece. When I talk of triple alliance, I am referring to the genuine support Barrister Muhiyi Magaji Rimingado's assigned responsibility in the Kano State Task Force Against Drug Abuse and other Related Crimes is getting from our moral bases, the Ulama, Imams and Hisbah. 

The fight against drug abuse and other related crimes is now gaining more support in the state and beyond the state. At first, few people started coloring the effort with political sentiment. But now, even at the level of comments sections of the Task Force social media handles, you begin to understand that, more and more people are supporting the move, without any recourse to political party affiliation or other human sentiments. 

In the last two to four days, I observed that, over 98% of those making comments in the comments sections of the Task Force social media handles are supporting, praying, engaging and canvassing more support for the state government in this all-important effort. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's genuine political will is appreciated. While Barrister Rimingado's is applauded and encouraged. 

It is very safe and logical to say that, when you have the Council of Ulama of Nigeria, the Association of Kano State Friday Mosques Imams, and the Hisbah Board all speaking with one voice in support of a government committee, you are no longer looking at ordinary politics. You are looking at a moral consensus that is translating into political capital. A tripartite moral support with strong link to state. 

That is exactly what is happening today in Kano around the Kano State Task Force Against Drug Abuse and Other Related Crimes, what many on the streets now simply call "Muhuyi's Assignment."

And from mosque pulpits to market stalls to social media comment sections, the verdict is blunt and the same. That is with this patriotic effort, Governor Yusuf is gaining more ground, winning more hearts, and inching ever closer to a second term in 2027. Morality overtakes politics. In this calculation, the chances for the Governor's reelection for a second tenure, is tilted more to the moral side than political engagement. 

Under this analogy, the Governor's achievements in the infrastructural development, the feats he achieved in the health sector, the visible results in the education sector, the good outcomes in the agricultural sector, improved beautification of the urban areas, roads networks in the rural areas, unwavering commitment towards a united APC the ruling party, and encouraging budget implementation, among others, are not the watch words here. The watch word is one, that is MORALITY. 

Which eventually led to what I call A Triple Alliance of Faith and State. Meaning the support from the religious institutions. Which is not accidental; it is structured. That is when the Council of Ulama of Nigeria, Kano State Branch, under its Chairman Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, provided the theological seal. Drug abuse, in Islam, is not just a crime. We are told by scholars that it is indeed the mother of all evils. It destroys hankali (intellect), which Shari'ah came to protect. When the Ulama publicly commend the Task Force, they are telling the faithful that fighting drugs is ibadah. And it is by all standard. In their part the Association of Kano State Friday Mosques Imams, under Sheikh Muhammad Nasir Adam, took it directly to the people. With over 2,000 Friday Mosques under its umbrella, reaching millions of worshippers every Friday, the Imams use the Minbar into a platform for advocacy. In the last few Fridays, Sermons  (Khutbahs) across Kano Municipal, Gwale, Dala, Tarauni and other LGAs have focused on the dangers of drug abuse (shaye-shaye) and the parental responsibility to protect children. 

They are not only praying for the Task Force — they are naming and shaming the act, and calling on parents to report dealers hiding in their neighbourhoods. That is grassroots mobilization no police van can achieve.

While the Hisbah Board provides the street-level muscle. Hisbah operatives know every black spot, every uncompleted building where substances are abused. Their collaboration with the Task Force means that enforcement is no longer a game of hide-and-seek. It is coordinated, intelligence-driven, and faith-inspired. It is very clear for all to understand that when faith and state align like this, criminals lose their hideout. 

This piece is only concern with these religions groups, faith-based platforms, that is why there isn't any mention of other primary and other relevant agencies. The relevant agencies are equally important as these bodies. And sometimes above faith-based platforms. Because they are empowered by Law to enforce law and use force where necessary. My intention with this piece is only religious bodies and comments sections. 

I observed and said that Governor is gaining ground. Let's see how Muhuyi's assignment becomes Gov Abba's political advantage. In Kano politics, popularity is not built in Government House. It is built in homes where a mother is worried about her son coming home high. It is built in wards where fathers fear their daughters are being lured with codeine. It was an open secret that for decades, Kano was accused of being a transit route and a dumping ground. Dealers operated with impunity at notorious spots. Parents whispered, they prayed, but they saw no action.

The Task Force changed that narrative. Under Barrister Rimingado the committee adopted a model that is not just about arrest, it is about disruption, prevention, and justice. Then reformation also follows. That is why Kiru Reformatory Centre is extremely important and relevant. As more of such Centres are needed. 

In recent weeks alone, we had a situation where the government was able to secure the conviction of notorious suppliers who were administering intoxicating substances to vulnerable underage children — sentenced to nine years without an option of fine by Magistrate Court No. 44, Gwammaja. That single judgment sent a message: Kano's children are not for sale. When over 200 drug abusers were also convicted by the recently established mobile courts attached to the Task Force. 

Drug marketers, abusers and their connivers are no longer at ease in the state. Let me say this to the hearing of all that, these are not abstract achievements. These are kitchen-table issues. And kitchen-table issues win elections. Go and make a research on political behaviors and public engagement. 

That is the main reason why the comment sections of the Agency's Facebook and TikTok handles are no longer toxic — they are full of "Allah ya taimaka," "Allah ya saka da alheri," "A cigaba da wannan aiki," and crucially, "Abba ya yi kokari, sai second term." Market leaders at Dangwaro Market themselves are now cooperating to track illegal drugs. This is leadership by example. 

The people have connected the dots: clean hospitals plus clean streets equals a governor who cares. I was at an Agency's engagement effort. What I witnessed was superb. The reform in Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) — from 30% drug availability to over 90%, clearance of N1.2 billion debt, elimination of fake drugs from public hospitals — and the crackdown on illicit drugs are now seen as two arms of one policy of Governor Yusuf to clean Kano's health system. To me Governor Yusuf is Sarkin Tsaftace Kano. 

Reason why a Task Force becomes a political movement. That is how Muhuyi's assignment gives Abba more ground, more clearance for victory, more faith in his style of leadership, more loyalty from his people in the government, more courage in discharging responsibilities on the shoulders of the Task Force and more prayers and commitment for the Governor's second coming. 

We all believe and want it this way that, Continuity is the Real Issue. 

The way I see it is this, that those calling for second tenure are not just being political. They understand a bitter truth about Kano, that good initiatives die after elections.

I suggest that our Governor should break the cycle. We need institutionalization of the process and the effort. For example when a committee seizes drugs, destroys N1.5 billion worth, then after May 29th, dealers return with N3 billion worth because there is no institutional memory. Your Excellency Sir you need to institutionalize this success in the following three ways:

1) Enact a Law: Transform the Ad-hoc Task Force into Kano State Drug Control Agency with statutory powers.

2) Fund It: Sir give it a budget line in the 2026-2027 budget, just as health now enjoys over 15% above the Abuja Declaration.

3) Kindly link it to DMCSA: Let the clean drug supply chain and the dirty drug blockade work as two arms of one policy.

As a Call to Action procedure let our people know that support is more than a comment. Report a dealer. Protect a child in your street. Your support today is what makes Kano safer tomorrow. Intel is very important and impactful. 

To the Friday Imams and Ulama, please keep the khutbahs coming. The war against drugs is won in the home before it is won on the street.

To the Task Force please understand that this public love is a trust. Remain fair, remain transparent, publish every seizure and every conviction.

To the Governor, Your Excellency Sir you have found something rare — an intervention that unites Ulama, Imams, Hisbah, and the common man. It is giving you ground, it is giving you popularity, and it is giving you a strong moral case for 2027. Protect it Sir. 

The fight against drugs is not ADC or NDC or PDP versus APC. It is whether the 12-year-old in Fagge today will become a pharmacist or a patient in a rehabilitation centre.

For the first time in a long time, Kano believes it will be the permanent former drug abuse have. And it credits Muhuyi's assignment and Abba's leadership for that hope.

Anwar writes from Kano 

Sunday, 20th September, 2026

45 Days. 200 Raids. 200 Convictions. Gov Abba, Muhiyi Set National Benchmark - By Abba Anwar

In just 45 days, Kano State has rewritten the playbook on the fight against drug abuse and other related crimes. The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Other Related Crimes, established under the directive of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has executed over 200 precision raids and secured over 200 convictions in courts across the state. This record pace sends a clear message to criminal networks. Kano will no longer be a safe haven for drug peddlers.

To further show the genuine commitment and the political will of His Excellency, the Governor, four mobile courts are established to see to the successful operations of the Task Force. All the convictions were secured through the mobile courts. An examplary leadership of great substance. 

This landmark achievement is a direct reflection of political will (Governor's) meeting operational excellence (Muhiyi's). Governor’s decisive leadership provided the mandate, while the Chairman of the Task Force Barrister Muhiyi Magaji Rimingado translated that vision into coordinated action on the ground. The results are not just statistics; they represent safer neighborhoods, rescued youths, and renewed hope for families across Kano.

It is exposure, experience and good track record that informs Rimingado's constructive attention to understand that, drug abuse and the menace or crimes of the miscreants are identical twins. 

One of the the good thing about the operations of the Task Force is the idea that great percentage of these miscreants would be taken to Kiru Reformation Centre for rehabilitation and skills acquisition, before their integration into society. 

The Chairman reveals that, "It is up to the court to see if one's offence does not warrant to be taken to Correctional Centre, then Kiru Reformation Centre is the option. We have a plan that Ten Thousand (10,000) will be trained in skills acquisition. To divert their attention and effort from being liabilities to society to become assets."

To show the commitment of the entire Task Force committee, preparation has been on top gear for Forward Operation Base, where intelligence on drug abuse in whatever form, eg marketing, production, etc and hideouts of miscreants can be reported on 24/7 basis. Provision of Call Centres. Kudos to this all-important Task Force. 

If there is any cul-de-sac for the operations of the Task Force, is not more than how the media handle the situation and public reaction or inaction, towards achieving set goals and standard. The feeling of ownership by all is one of the search points presently. 

In one of his interviews with the media, Rimingado lamented that, "Yes people are fully aware of what is happening around them. People cooperate to give intelligence. When someone calls and gives details of the bad things happening around him on the basis of confidentiality, but when operation is launched the same people will start condemning your actions. This is double standard."

To the Chairman, according to some instances he cited and lamented, some media people are not helping matters in this fight against drug abuse and related crimes. While some aid the struggle, there are still some that do not see their responsibility as service to humanity. Rimingado blames that small fraction of the media as discouraging the whole effort. 

GANDU SAGA

In his recent raid against drug abuse and related crimes, Barrister Rimingado led his team from the Task Force to immediately respond to a distress call from Gandu quarters of Municipal local government, where miscreants were having a field day. As he commended the distress call he also condemned the action of some people in the area. 

What happened in Gandu, Rimingado allegedly pointed out, was a clash of rivalry between Vigilante Group of Gandu and Vigilante Group of Tukuntawa. He emphasized that, "It was a clash between Gandu Vigilante people and Tukuntawa Vigilante group. We have a clip of a reconciliation meeting between these two Vigilante groups that took place at Sharada Police Division."

After the presence of the Task Force, who went there as observers, since the Police from Sharada were already in the scene, according to Rimingado, calming down people and returning peace to the area, there was a reported case of commotion. Of which media people turned blind eye on the major issue involved in the area, he lamented. 

To shed more light on how involved were the Vigilante people, he disclosed that, two suspects from the group were apprehended and were taken to court. Which at the end of the investigation, were convicted. As, according to him, were found guilty of the offense. 

Part of his lamentation was that, people were not interested in knowing the details of Gandu Saga, they were only interested in knowing what action was taken wrongly by the government. 

MEDIA AND TASK FORCE'S RESPONSIBILITY

What made the media derailed in the Chairman's perspective on Gandu saga and probably other operations, was, the stories some media men carried, saw only one side of the story. Without looking at the other side of the story. Not only that, reviewing Gandu saga specifically, he blamed subjective reporting for some media people. 

He raised many issues that some media didn't investigate well before going to their audiences. When Task Force was blamed for all the difficult conditions obtained in Gandu, by some section of the media, he queried why the report was only against the Task Force engagement. Why shouldn't there be questions as to what Gandu miscreants did to security agents. This in clear term is not as objective as it should be. 

When suspects were arrested their parents go to some media men and started crying that their wards were arrested for no just cause. Without knowing the other side, some media just go to their audience, for those parents to get public sympathy. This, if it happens, by all standard, is not good practice. Fairness is subdued and suffocated. 

When Barrister Rimingado challenged that in their operations they carry media men along with them, it appears that they have no skeleton in their cupboard. As a team of security personnel and other professionals, Task Force understands rule of engagement and they always try to abide by the set rules and standard. 

As a media person for decades, I can understand that, some journalists practice out of ethical standard. This is not a secret development anymore. Apart from quacks in our mid, some are too hasty to understand ethical practice. Who turn out to become awkward professional. So if Kano Anti-Drug Task Force complains about subjective treatment by some section of the media, the best thing for any listener or good observer to do is to weigh the two positions. And understand who derails. 

When Rimingado acknowledged that the fight against drug abuse and other related crimes has the support of communities, he still laments that, there are pockets of individuals who are using some media people to cause confusion in the process and procedures. 

To the chagrin of the Task Force, they discover that, some drug abusers and related crimes inherited the menace from their elders. This is a very critical discovery. While it becomes an inherited development, the situation becomes worse when media, some section of the media, support such people. 

Another point of great concern raised by Barrister Rimingado is the issue of the protection of the rights of the security agents. Yes I concur with him, that, they, security agents, too, have their rights like any other Nigerian, which must also be protected. While they have to abide by the rule of engagement, they cannot at the same time abandon their self-rights for fear of being condemned by the public or by some section of the media.This is what the position of the Chairman Task Force typifies. 

It is very important for all to understand what fight against drug abuse and other related crimes means at the global arena. Elsewhere in say, Latin America, fight against drug peddling faces stiffer sanctions, from intelligence, to trailing, to launching operations, to capture and to fierce engagement with the beneficiaries. If Gandu in Kano were in a Latin American country, the story would have been very different by now. Security operatives don't joke with similar situations elsewhere. 

People should also understand that had Kano been in a Latin American country, where the drug war between government and criminals is fierce, the Task Force would not be the subject of blame. The media would not have reacted the same way toward the Task Force.

Security agencies under the State Multi-Agency Task Force performed excellently well during Takutaha festive period, just a few days ago when not fewer than 50 miscreants were arrested for drug abuse and other related crimes. The leadership of the Task Force and the team members, to my estimation, have the society at heart. Not minding whose ox is gored. 

MY TAKE

1. Let the Task Force organize training for journalists to give them enough skill of how to report activities of the Task Force ethically. If journalists can be trained on election reporting why not on the fight against drug abuse? 

2. Task Force should engage in aggressive enlightenment campaign for members of the public to be acquainted with the real activities of the Committee. So that grassroot support can be firmer and more grounded, 

3. Youth organizations and Task Force should have platforms for exchanging strategies, ideas and style against drug abuse, 

4. Task Force should come up with specially designed engagement with the public through townhall meetings and other related fora, like Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs) and 

5. Rehabilitation, capacity building on skills acquisition for drug abusers and reintegration are integral parts of the the fight against drug abuse and other related crimes. 

What gives me this courage to put pen on paper, or in a more modern way, to press button on computer and produce this piece is first and foremost, the political will of the Governor, His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf in his resolve to fight against drug abuse and other related crimes. Secondly is the composition and the leadership of the Task Force saddled with this responsibility, under no-nonsense, patriotically fearless, fearful and genuinely committed Barrister Muhiyi Magaji Rimingado. 

The quicker prosecution of the arrested suspects which saw the conviction of over 200 is primarily made possible due to the mobile courts established by the Governor for quicker results and progress. 

Anwar writes from Kano 

Tuesday, 8th September, 2026

28 Arrested as Muhuyi Leads Drugs Crackdown

In a decisive operation to clamp down on drug-related criminality and protect communities, the Chairman of the Kano State Multi‑Joint Task Force on Drug Abuse and Other Related Crimes, Muhuyi Magaji, Esq., personally led operations on Friday, 07th August 2026 in Rimin Gado, headquarters of Rimin Gado Local Government Area, and Doka of Tofa Local Government, resulting in the arrest of 28 suspects, the dislodging of five drug joints and the recovery of a variety of illicit substances.

In a statement by the Secretary of the Committee, Dr Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, Muhuyi said the targeted actions were undertaken to demonstrate the Task Force’s impartial enforcement mandate and to send a clear message that no one is above the law. “We are treating every community equally and enforcing the law without bias. Our guiding principle is ‘Kano First,’ and we are determined to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and drug‑free state in line with the vision of His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf,” he stated.

He emphasized that beginning operations in his hometown is deliberate and symbolic. Sanitizing his own community is the first step in a wider campaign that will extend beyond the Kano metropolis to all 44 local government areas. The operation combined kinetic interventions to disrupt criminal activity with coordinated investigative follow‑up; investigations are ongoing and those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Task Force is pursuing a balanced approach that pairs enforcement with prevention and recovery. While kinetic measures continue to dismantle illicit networks, non‑kinetic efforts are being intensified through engagement with community leaders, regulatory bodies, health services and educational partners to raise awareness, strengthen supply‑chain controls and expand rehabilitative support for those affected by substance use.

Muhuyi was careful to note that lawful, legitimate businesses are not the target of these efforts; rather, the aim is to protect honest traders and create an environment in which businesses and communities can thrive free from the corrosive effects of drug trafficking and abuse.

Members of the public are urged to support ongoing operations by reporting suspicious activity or information relevant to drug trafficking and abuse. The Kano State Multi‑Joint Task Force on Drug Abuse and Other Related Crimes remains committed to sustaining momentum, upholding professional standards and safeguarding the health and security of all residents across the state.

Kano Govt Reaffirms Full Support for State Anti-Graft Agency's Efforts to Combat Corruption in Public Service

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, in partnership with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) program, has taken a significant step towards enhancing the capacity of civil service directors in the fight against corruption. 

The commission organized a capacity-building workshop aimed at equipping public servants with the necessary tools and knowledge to combat corruption within their ranks.

State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Dedputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, reiterated the state government's dedication to eradicating corruption at all levels of governance. 

Abba Kabir assures the Commission of the Government’s full backing in its efforts to eliminate corruption from the public service and called for unwavering commitment from all public officials

He called on the directors to take the lessons learned from the workshop seriously and apply them in their daily responsibilities.

In his welcome address, the Head of Civil Service in Kano State, Abdullahi Musa, emphasized the importance of the workshop in fostering a culture of transparency and accountability within the civil service. 

He highlighted the state's commitment to ensuring that public servants are well-trained and prepared to uphold the highest standards of integrity in their duties.

Barrister Muhuyi Magaji, Chairman of the Kano Anti-Corruption Commission, delivered a keynote address, focusing on the critical role of civil servants in the state's anti-corruption efforts. 

Muhuyi details the Commission’s success in investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption which involves Civil servants, recovering cases of corruption, recovering stolen funds and implementing preventive measures to reduce the incidence of corruption within the state.

Magaji emphasized that, these achievements demonstrate the Commission’s commitments to maintaining integrity and transparency in the public sector

He urged the directors to be proactive in identifying and addressing corrupt practices, noting that their leadership positions place them at the forefront of the battle against corruption.

Representatives from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were also in attendance. They shared insights into federal-level anti-corruption initiatives and discussed how these could be harmonized with the state's efforts.

The ROLAC II program, represented by Rabi’u Bello, emphasized the importance of continuous capacity building for public servants. 

The program's goal is to support Nigerian institutions in promoting the rule of law and reducing corruption through effective training and collaboration.

Participants engaged in various interactive sessions covering topics such as ethical governance, whistleblower protection, and the implementation of anti-corruption policies. 

The workshop is expected to enhance the effectiveness of civil service directors in maintaining a transparent and accountable public service in Kano State.

The event concluded with a strong call to action for the civil service directors to lead by example and contribute actively to the state's ongoing fight against corruption.

Kotu ta sake umartar Ganduje da ya amince da Muhuyi Magaji a matsayin Shugaban Hukumar Yaki da Cin Hanci da Rashawa

Kotun ma'aikata ta kasa da ke zamanta a Kano ta yi watsi da karar farko da gwamnatin jihar Kano ta shigar kan wata doka da ta hana gwamnatin jihar nada kowane mutum a matsayin shugaban hukumar yaki da cin hanci da rashawa ta jihar.

Idan dai za a iya tunawa, a kwanakin baya ne Gwamna Abdullahi Umar Ganduje ya mika sunan mukaddashin shugaban hukumar Mahmud Balarabe ga majalisar dokokin jihar domin tabbatar da shi a matsayin kwararren shugaba.

Majalisar ta tsara tantance shugaban riko a ranar 2 ga Mayu, 2023.

SOLACEBASE ya bayar da rahoton a wani hukuncin da kotu ta yanke a baya a cikin wani umarni na musamman cewa dakataccen shugaban hukumar korafe-korafen al’umma da yaki da cin hanci da rashawa ta jihar Kano, Muhuyi Magaji Rimigado ya ci gaba da kasancewa a matsayin shugaban hukumar.

Biyan kuɗi zuwa wasiƙarmu

Shigar da adireshin imel ɗin ku

Yi rijista

Karanta kuma:Kwarai Muhuyi a matsayin Shugaban Hukumar Yaki da Cin Hanci da Rashawa ta Kano- Kotu ta umarci Ganduje

A zaman kotun a ranar Juma’a, Mai shari’a E.D. Isele ta yi watsi da karar farko da gwamnatin jihar Kano ta shigar kan lamarin yayin da ta amince da bukatar Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado ta amince da shi a matsayin shugaban hukumar.

Kotun ta kuma gargadi Lauyan Gwamnatin Jihar Kano da ya gargadi wanda yake karewa da ya daina duk wani tsari na tabbatar da wani mutum a matsayin Shugaban Hukumar Korafe-korafen Jama’a da Yaki da Cin Hanci da Rashawa ta Jihar Kano.

Kotun 'Ma'aikata Ta Umarci Ganduje Da Ya Amince Da Muhuyi A Matsayin Shugaban Hukumar Karbar Korafi Ta Kano

A ranar Litinin din da ta gabata ne Kotun ma’aikata ta kasa da ke zamanta a Kano, ta umarci gwamnatin jihar Kano da ta ci gaba da kasancewa a kan “status quo ante bellum” a karar da korarren shugaban hukumar korafe-korafe da yaki da cin hanci da rashawa ta Kano PCAC, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado ya shigar, har sai an ci gaba da sauraron karar.

Status quo ante bellum yana nufin halin da ake ciki kamar yadda ya kasance kafin jayayya.

 

An shigar da karar  gwamnatin jihar Kano da majalisar dokokin jihar da kuma babban lauyan jihar Kano a matsayin wadanda ake tuhuma na 1 da na 2 da na 3.

gaban mai shari’a E.D. Esele,

 

Mista Rimingado yana kalubalantar sahihancin matakin da gwamnati ta dauka na korar shi ba tare da bin ka'ida ba.

 

A bisa wannan umarnin, wasikar korar da aka mika wa Mista Rimingado ba ta da wani tasiri kuma hukuncin da kotun masana’antu ta kasa, Abuja ta yanke a baya yana nan daram sai dai idan kotu ta yanke hukunci bayan yanke hukunci.

 

A ranar 14 ga Disamba, 2022, kotun ma’aikata ta kasa ta ayyana Mista Rimingado a matsayin shugaban hukumar, sannan ta kuma umarci Ganduje ya biya shi bashin albashin N5,791, 891.22.

Sai dai a wata takardar sallamar mai dauke da kwanan watan 24 ga watan Janairu mai dauke da sa hannun sakataren gwamnatin jihar Usman Alhaji, gwamnatin jihar ta kori Mista Rimingado a matsayin shugaban hukumar, saboda kudirin majalisar dokokin jihar a ranar 26 ga watan Yuli.

DAILY NIGERIAN