Kano drug crackdown: 380 suspects arrested, 230 convicted — Gov. Yusuf

Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State says more than 380 suspects have been arrested and over 230 convicted in the state’s drug crackdown by the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The governor disclosed this in his speech on Thursday in Kano, to mark the 66 independence anniversary of Nigeria.
Yusuf said the arrests and convictions were recorded within the first two months of the state’s intensified campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

He said the state government established the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in July 2026.

The governor  said the government also issued an Executive Order to strengthen the fight against illicit substances, thuggery and related criminal activities.

According to him, the task force has dismantled several drug joints and criminal hideouts across the state since its establishment.

Yusuf described the fight against drug abuse and criminality as a shared responsibility involving government, security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders, communities, parents and citizens.

He, therefore, urged youths to reject drug abuse, violence and criminality and embrace education, agriculture, technology, enterprise, vocational training and the creative industries.

The governor revealed that his administration would continue to support security agencies, strengthen community-based intelligence and address social challenges contributing to crime and insecurity.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a safer environment where young people could pursue lawful enterprises and contribute to Kano’s development