The Technical Adviser to the Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, has donated relief materials, including blankets, food items, and essential drugs, to inmates of the Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre following the destruction caused by a recent rainstorm.

Dr. Magashi made the donation during a visit to the facility on Sunday, July 26, accompanied by officials of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi Kubarachi.

The visit followed a heavy rainstorm that damaged parts of the rehabilitation centre, leaving several buildings in need of urgent repairs. During the inspection, Dr. Magashi interacted with staff and female inmates while assessing the extent of the destruction.

He observed that the rainstorm had blown off the roofs of several female accommodation blocks, while sections of the perimeter fence had collapsed, creating serious safety and security concerns for the facility.

In response to the situation, Dr. Magashi commended the Kano State Emergency Management Agency for its swift intervention, particularly the decision to temporarily relocate all female inmates to a dedicated and secured section within the Bichi Male Rehabilitation Centre.

According to SEMA, the temporary relocation was undertaken to safeguard the lives and welfare of the inmates while rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damaged facility are carried out.

Dr. Magashi described the agency’s response as timely and necessary, noting that the safety and well-being of vulnerable persons in government care should remain a top priority.

He also pledged to support SEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in convening a strategic stakeholders’ meeting aimed at reviewing the incident and strengthening emergency response mechanisms across rehabilitation centres in the state.

The meeting, he said, would provide an opportunity to mobilize additional support from government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and development partners to improve SEMA’s capacity in managing the 13 rehabilitation centres under its supervision.

Dr. Magashi highlighted his continued commitment to supporting humanitarian interventions across Kano State, recalling that he had previously visited six of the state’s 13 rehabilitation centres where he donated drugs and food items to inmates.

He added that he had also sponsored a one-day capacity-building training for health workers serving in the rehabilitation centres to improve healthcare delivery to inmates.

The Technical Adviser expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing him to serve in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, pledging to continue supporting initiatives that improve the welfare of vulnerable residents across the state.If you’d like, I can also make it follow the exact Nigerian Tracker house style with a stronger lead, subhead, and editor-ready formatting.

The Chairman of the Kano State Taskforce Committee on the Control of Drug Abuse and Illicit Substances, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, has declared that no politician or influential individual can compel him to release suspected drug offenders arrested in the state.
Barrister Muhuyi made the declaration while briefing journalists in Kano, reaffirming the committee’s commitment to intensifying the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

He stressed that the committee would not tolerate any form of interference from individuals or groups seeking to obstruct its operations or influence its decisions.
“I will not spare any politician or individual who attempts to influence our work or requests the release of offenders. The only person who can stop me is the Governor, and I know he will never interfere with our mandate,” Barrister Muhuyi said.
The taskforce chairman called on residents of Kano State to support the committee by providing credible and timely information that would aid the fight against drug-related crimes.

He also warned drug dealers, traffickers, financiers, and other members of criminal syndicates to desist from their activities, insisting that Kano would no longer serve as a safe haven for the illicit drug trade.
“Our committee will not spare anyone found engaging in the sale, distribution, or consumption of illicit substances. We are determined to rid Kano State of drug-related crimes and create a safer society for all,” he added.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Kano State Directorate, has pledged to deepen collaboration with the Kano State Multi Joint Task Force on Drug Abuse and Other Related Crimes to strengthen efforts aimed at curbing drug abuse and related criminal activities across the state.

The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by officials of the NOA Kano State Office to the Chairman of the Task Force, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji, in what both parties described as a congratulatory and strategic engagement focused on enhancing inter-agency cooperation.

Speaking on behalf of the NOA State Director, Hajiya Mero Idi Waziri commended the Task Force leadership for including the Agency in the committee and reaffirmed NOA’s readiness to contribute actively to the initiative. She emphasized that the Agency’s extensive grassroots presence across Kano State’s 44 local government areas places it in a strategic position to support public enlightenment and community engagement.

Waziri also highlighted the availability of the Agency’s Special Marshals as an additional resource for grassroots mobilization and public education. According to her, the NOA is prepared to extend the committee’s activities to communities across the state by leveraging its existing structures to promote awareness and prevention. “We are ready to extend the committee’s activities to the local government areas and beyond, leveraging our structures to reach communities where prevention and awareness are required most,” she said.

Responding, the Chairman of the Task Force, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji, described the fight against drug abuse as a shared responsibility that requires sustained collaboration among government agencies, traditional and community leaders, religious institutions, and civil society organizations. He expressed concern over the growing prevalence of drug abuse and related crimes in Kano State, stressing that coordinated efforts are essential to reverse the trend.

Barrister Muhuyi reaffirmed the Task Force’s commitment to impartial enforcement, warning that offenders would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law regardless of their status or background. “Whoever is found guilty will be treated without fear or favor,” he stated, adding that while enforcement would remain firm, the committee would also expand non-kinetic approaches centered on prevention, advocacy, and rehabilitation.

During the meeting, both organizations agreed that sustained public sensitization and education are critical to complementing law enforcement efforts. They identified several areas of collaboration, including community awareness campaigns across all 44 local government areas using NOA’s grassroots structures, outreach programmes in schools, religious institutions and youth organizations to discourage substance abuse, and the deployment of NOA Special Marshals to support public education and community engagement initiatives.

The meeting ended with a shared commitment to strengthen institutional partnerships aimed at integrating enforcement, prevention and community mobilization in the fight against drug abuse. Both the Task Force and the National Orientation Agency pledged to maintain close communication and jointly develop a schedule of activities designed to reduce drug abuse and other related crimes across Kano State.