The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has set a target to remove over 10,000 drug abusers from the streets and provide them with rehabilitation and skills acquisition. Chairman of the task force, Muhuyi Rimin Gado, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the agency's headquarters. The task force aims to rehabilitate and train the beneficiaries in skills acquisition, enabling them to reintegrate into society.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has provided an additional facility in Tofa Local Government Area to serve as an extension of the Kano State Reformatory Institute, Kiru. The facility will be equipped and put into use immediately to ensure that no person seeking rehabilitation is turned away. This move is in response to the growing demand for rehabilitation, following increased public acceptance of the task force's operations.
The Kano State Reformatory Institute, Kiru, had reached capacity, creating an urgent need for expansion. The task force had so far referred about 125 individuals to the Kano Reformatory Institute, Kiru, for rehabilitation. Rimin Gado stressed that drug abuse should be treated as a condition requiring a healing process.
The task force is also engaging industrial stakeholders on possible strategies for creating employment, skills acquisition, and other productive opportunities for youth who have undergone rehabilitation. This approach aims to ensure effective reintegration of the rehabilitated individuals into society.
The task force has acted on a complaint involving the alleged illegal administration of Pentazocine to a 63-year-old woman by the former Chairman of Rogo Local Government Area, Yahuza Musa. The allegation was corroborated by a 24-year-old man, who claimed to have spent over N10m and given a plot of land to purchase the same injection from the former chairman.
Rimin Gado commended the NDLEA, Police, DSS, NSCDC, customs, correctional service, KOSSAP, vigilante groups, Hisbah, KAROTA, and other agencies for their contributions to the task force's operations. He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and relevant information to the task force to help keep the streets safe and promote a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
The task force's operations have received massive public acceptance, with families now voluntarily bringing their loved ones for effective treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration. The additional facility will help meet the growing demand for rehabilitation, ensuring that no person seeking help is turned away.
Key points
- The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking targets 10,000 drug abusers for rehabilitation and skills acquisition.
- An additional facility has been provided in Tofa Local Government Area to serve as an extension of the Kano State Reformatory Institute, Kiru.
- The task force has referred 125 individuals to the Kano Reformatory Institute, Kiru, for rehabilitation.
