The North-West Development Commission (NWDC) has commended the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Practices for significant gains recorded in the fight against drug abuse, and has expressed readiness to collaborate on regional solutions to tackle the menace across the North-West.
According to the Director, Press and Public Relations, Abdulrashid Yusuf Safana, the commendation came during a courtesy visit to NWDC's management on Wednesday by the Task Force, led by its Chairman, Barrister Muhiyi Magaji Rimingado.
Speaking at the meeting, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NWDC, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma'aji, said drug abuse has become a major driver of insecurity, poverty, and youth restiveness in the region.
"The North-West cannot achieve its development goals if a generation of our young people is lost to drug abuse. The data before us is alarming, and the link between drug abuse and the rise in gun violence is now clear to all of us," Prof. Ma'aji said.
Briefing the Commission, Barr. Rimingado disclosed that within 45 days of its inauguration, the Task Force recorded over 200 raids across vulnerable communities and secured over 200 convictions, with some offenders sentenced to up to 10 years' imprisonment. The operations also led to the recovery of weapons and other exhibits. He added that 120 of the most critical and vulnerable offenders are currently undergoing rehabilitation at two correctional and reformatory centres.
Rimingado described the Kano State Government's approach as two-pronged: aggressive law enforcement and mass rehabilitation.
"Government did not set up this committee only to arrest and prosecute. If we jail them for 10 years and release them back to the streets with no reform, we have achieved nothing. That is why we are removing the most vulnerable from the streets and putting them in reformatories," he said.
In his response, Prof. Ma'aji said NWDC will work to integrate drug prevention, rehabilitation, and youth empowerment into its regional development blueprint for Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.
"At NWDC, our mandate is to rebuild the North-West. That means building infrastructure, but also rebuilding people. We will work with the Task Force and other stakeholders to expand rehabilitation centres, provide skills acquisition, and create jobs as alternatives to crime," he added.
Prof. Ma'aji expressed gratitude to the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his continued support to the Commission and for establishing the Multi-Agency Task Force to combat drug abuse in the state. "This initiative is a testament to the Governor's concern for youth welfare and development," he said.
The Commission called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and parents to join the campaign against drug abuse, noting that security and development must go together.
The North-West Development Commission was established to drive infrastructure development, human capital investment, and peace-building initiatives across the seven North-West states.
