The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested more than 380 suspects and secured over 230 convictions within two months of its inauguration.

Chairman of the task force, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, disclosed this on Tuesday at a press briefing in Kano on the committee’s activities since its inauguration on July 22.

He said the task force had conducted joint enforcement operations to dismantle drug joints and criminal hideouts across the state, including areas such as Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami, Kawo and Tashar Rimi.

According to him, the operations led to the recovery of illicit substances including Cannabis sativa, Exol-5, Diazepam, Pentazocine, Tramadol and Pregabalin, as well as locally made weapons such as knives, cutlasses, daggers and clubs.

Rimin Gado expressed concern over the diversion of controlled medicines, disclosing that about 870,000 Pregabalin capsules had been seized from a pharmaceutical company in the state.

He urged pharmaceutical companies, pharmacists and other stakeholders to strengthen their internal controls and ensure that controlled medicines did not enter illicit markets.

The chairman also disclosed that 43 underage children rescued from drug-related exploitation had received medical attention, counselling and treatment.

He said two dealers, Kabiru Isa, popularly known as Mada, and Usman Hamisu, also known as Mani, had been convicted for allegedly exposing the children, who were involved in street scavenging, to intoxicating substances.

Rimin Gado said the task force had also arrested and secured convictions against suspected members of gangs involved in thuggery and phone snatching.

He added that about 125 people had been referred for rehabilitation at the Kano State Reformatory Institute in Kiru, noting that the facility had become overstretched because of the increasing number of people requiring rehabilitation.

The chairman said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had provided an additional facility in Tofa Local Government Area to address the pressure on the Kiru centre.

He said the task force was targeting 10,000 youths for rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration into society, with the aim of helping them become productive members of their communities.

Rimin Gado said the task force would continue working with security agencies, government institutions, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to tackle drug abuse and related crimes across Kano State.

He commended the agencies involved in the operations and said the task force’s activities were part of the state government’s efforts to reduce drug abuse and improve public safety.