Barely 24 hours after the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, commissioned the Rapid Response Squad, the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has seized approximately 3,180,000 capsules suspected to be Pregabalin in the Sabon Gari area of Kano.

The seizure followed credible intelligence received through one of the reporting platforms linked to the Task Force Command and Call Centre, just hours after the Rapid Response Squad was officially launched by the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives of the Squad identified and searched a residential apartment at No. 13 Apple Avenue, Normansland, Sabon Gari, in Fagge Local Government Area, which was suspected to be used for illicit activities.

During the operation, the operatives recovered approximately 3,180,000 capsules suspected to be Pregabalin and arrested a 34-year-old man identified as Gregory Ogbuji.

The suspect, who is suspected to be associated with SEEMARK PHARMA LTD, registered under number 2012546, has been charged under Section 249 of the Penal Code. Another suspect allegedly connected to the operation is currently at large.

The Chairman of the Task Force, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, Esq., described the seizure as a significant early result of the Rapid Response Squad, stressing that it demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led enforcement and effective communication between the public and law enforcement agencies.

According to the Task Force, Pregabalin has emerged as one of the most widely abused drugs in Kano State. Its operational experience indicates that approximately eight out of every 10 drug-related operations involve suspects dependent on or abusing Pregabalin.

The Task Force described the development as a serious public health and security concern, stressing that sustained enforcement, public vigilance and community cooperation would be critical to tackling the growing challenge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state.

The latest operation is one of the first major outcomes of the investment in establishing and equipping the Rapid Response Squad, which was designed to provide a coordinated and rapid response to reports of drug abuse, illicit trafficking, thuggery and other related crimes.

The Chairman warned individuals and groups involved in the illicit drug trade to desist, assuring residents that the Task Force would continue to take firm action against offenders without fear or favour.

He also expressed appreciation to members of the public for their prayers, cooperation and continued support, urging residents to make full use of the Task Force’s reporting platforms and Command and Call Centre to provide credible information on suspected drug abuse, trafficking, thuggery and other criminal activities.

He said the cooperation of residents remained essential to strengthening public safety and advancing the state government’s “Kano First” agenda.

Signed:
Lamara Garba, mnipr
Secretary, Media and Publicity Committee
Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Traficking.

Hajiya Binta Ibrahim, mother of former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, has died at the age of 91.

Hajiya Binta died on Friday, November 6, 2026, following a protracted illness.

The deceased was the mother of Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, who also served as the Labour Party’s Deputy Governorship Candidate in Kano State during the 2023 general elections.

Among her surviving children are Salamatu Saminu, a retired Director in the Kano State Government; Halima Ibrahim; and Comrade Abbas Ibrahim.

The funeral prayer for the deceased is scheduled to hold on Friday, November 6, at Sahaba, Kundila, Kano, immediately after the Juma’at prayer.

Her death is a loss to her family, relatives and associates, who will remember her for the years she spent nurturing her children and contributing to the growth of her family.

May Almighty Allah forgive her shortcomings, grant her soul eternal rest and admit her into Jannatul Firdaus. Amin.

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commissioned a Quick Response Squad of the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, alongside operational equipment worth hundreds of millions of naira, as part of renewed efforts to combat drug abuse, thuggery and illicit drug trafficking in the state.

Governor Yusuf performed the commissioning on Thursday, November 5, 2026, describing the initiative as a major step towards strengthening the state’s capacity to tackle substance abuse and its associated social problems.

Speaking at the ceremony, the governor expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by his administration in the fight against drug abuse, saying sustained interventions by the government and relevant agencies were gradually yielding positive results.

“I am the happiest man in Kano today as we continue to push drug abuse down to the barest minimum,” Yusuf declared.

The governor explained that the newly established Quick Response Squad would improve the operational effectiveness of the Multi-Agency Task Force by ensuring swift responses to reports, drug-related incidents and emerging security threats associated with substance abuse and illicit trafficking.

He said the provision of operational equipment worth hundreds of millions of naira demonstrated his administration’s determination to equip relevant agencies with the necessary resources to confront the growing challenges of drug abuse and other related crimes.

Yusuf stressed that the fight against substance abuse should not be limited to arrests and prosecution, noting that rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration were equally important in addressing the problem.

According to him, the state government would continue to strengthen vocational training, apprenticeship and skills acquisition programmes to ensure that rehabilitated persons acquire legitimate means of livelihood and are prevented from returning to drug abuse or criminal activities.

The governor maintained that providing economic opportunities for rehabilitated persons remained essential to achieving sustainable results in the campaign against substance abuse.

He commended the Chairman and members of the Multi-Agency Task Force for their dedication, courage and commitment, saying the achievements recorded within a relatively short period reflected the importance of collaboration among government institutions and other stakeholders.

Yusuf, who was accompanied by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismaila Falgore, and other senior government officials, also inspected the newly commissioned facility and operational equipment procured to strengthen the activities of the Task Force.

During the inspection, the governor expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness and operational capacity demonstrated by the Task Force, urging its leadership and personnel to sustain their commitment to protecting young people from the dangers of substance abuse.

He described drug abuse as one of the major threats to the wellbeing and future of young people, stressing the need for sustained government intervention and collective action to address the menace.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to intensifying its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and illicit trafficking across Kano State.

Rimin Gado said the commissioning of the Quick Response Squad and the provision of modern operational equipment would significantly enhance the Task Force’s ability to respond promptly to drug-related challenges and protect communities from the devastating consequences of substance abuse.

He assured the governor that the Task Force would sustain its operations and remain committed to its mandate, emphasising that the fight against drug abuse required consistency, determination and effective collaboration among relevant agencies.

The chairman expressed appreciation to Governor Yusuf for what he described as his strong political will, commitment and continued support towards confronting drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the state.

He noted that the governor’s backing had provided the Task Force with the confidence and operational resources required to intensify its activities and discharge its responsibilities without fear or favour.

Rimin Gado further emphasised that combating drug abuse was not solely the responsibility of law enforcement agencies but a collective social responsibility requiring the participation of traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, communities, educational institutions, security agencies and other stakeholders.

He pledged that the Task Force would continue to strengthen its enforcement operations while expanding preventive interventions, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes to address the problem from multiple angles.

The chairman expressed optimism that with sustained government support and the cooperation of stakeholders, Kano State would make further progress in reducing substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking to the barest minimum.

The event was attended by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, senior government officials and other stakeholders involved in the state’s campaign against drug abuse.

Signed: Lamara Garba, mnipr, Secretary, Media and Publicity Committee, Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.