Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has officially initiated a state of emergency regarding drug abuse. On Wednesday at the Government House, he signed an Executive Order focused on eliminating the illegal drug trade and substance misuse throughout the region.
The mandate, known as the Public Safety Emergency on Substance Abuse Executive Order, prohibits selling unregistered pharmaceuticals or illegal narcotics without a prescription. To combat the issue, the governor has imposed a daily curfew from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. in designated high-risk areas. Law enforcement officers are now authorized to stop, search, and detain individuals suspected of violating these new rules.
Furthermore, property owners who permit their buildings to be used for drug-related activities face severe consequences, including the potential revocation of their Certificates of Occupancy. Governor Yusuf emphasized that drug abuse is a significant threat that destabilizes the economy, breaks apart families, and incites violence.
To enforce these directives, the governor established an Anti-Substance Abuse Task Force tasked with mapping and dismantling criminal hideouts known as Daba. This committee is also responsible for pursuing the financiers and leaders behind these illegal networks. The task force is led by Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, who promised a professional approach involving collaboration with security services, religious leaders, and community members. The government has committed to providing the committee with full operational support, including logistics and funding, to ensure its success.
