The Kano State Government has banned the sale, trafficking and abuse of illicit substances across the state and imposed movement restrictions in identified drug abuse hotspots as part of fresh measures to curb rising drug-related crimes.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced the measures on Wednesday after signing two executive orders at the Government House, Kano, where he also inaugurated a Multi-Agency Anti-Substance Abuse Task Force to coordinate enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
The governor said the executive orders, which take immediate effect, prohibit the sale of illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products without valid prescriptions and restrict movement between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. in communities identified as centres of drug abuse and criminal activities.
“The Executive Order on Public Safety Emergency on Substance Abuse takes immediate effect. It prohibits the sale of illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products without valid prescriptions. It also imposes movement restrictions in identified hotspots to enable security agencies effectively tackle drug-related crimes,” Yusuf said.
He said security agencies had been authorised to stop, search, arrest and prosecute suspected offenders, warning that properties used for illicit drug trafficking and related criminal activities would forfeit their Certificates of Occupancy.
“The security agencies have been directed to enforce this order without fear or favour. Any property found to be used for the sale or trafficking of illicit drugs risks forfeiture through the revocation of its Certificate of Occupancy,” the governor added.
Yusuf said the executive orders were issued under Section 97A of the Kano State Penal Code Law and Cap 89 of 1991, empowering the government to take decisive action to safeguard public safety.
He described drug abuse as one of the greatest threats facing the state’s youth, saying it fuels violent crime, destroys families, weakens the economy and undermines social stability.
The governor said the newly inaugurated Multi-Agency Anti-Substance Abuse Task Force would coordinate intelligence gathering, enforcement operations, public enlightenment campaigns, rehabilitation programmes and collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders.
According to him, the task force has also been mandated to identify, map and dismantle criminal hideouts, illicit drug dens and other locations linked to drug trafficking across the state.
Responding on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, assured the governor that members would carry out their responsibilities with professionalism and integrity.
“We fully understand the enormity of this responsibility and will discharge our mandate with integrity, professionalism and without compromise. We will work closely with security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and communities to combat drug abuse and restore lasting peace across Kano State,” Rimingado said.
The task force comprises representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, traditional institutions, religious organisations, civil society groups and the business community.
West Trybe reports that the latest measures form part of the Kano State Government’s renewed efforts to tackle drug abuse and related criminal activities, following growing concerns over the impact of substance abuse on youth, public safety and community security across the state.
