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Kano’s War On Drugs: How Barr. Muhyi’s Taskforce Is Changing The Game

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Kano’s War On Drugs: How Barr. Muhyi’s Taskforce Is Changing The Game

By Muhammad Abubakar Suleiman

When Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf declared a public health emergency on drug abuse on July 22, 2026, and inaugurated the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, many in Kano saw it as another committee. Three months later, the committee led by Barrister Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado is dominating security headlines in the state.

The Taskforce was constituted as a multi-agency platform bringing together NDLEA, Police, DSS, Consumer Protection Council, Pharmaceutical Society, Ministry of Health, Anti-Daba Unit and other stakeholders. Dr. Ibrahim Garba Muhammad serves as Secretary.

From Raids to Results: Over 400 Arrests

According to briefings by the Chairman, within the first two months the Taskforce arrested more than 380 suspects and secured over 230 convictions. By September 29, when Barr. Muhyi spoke at the Kano Network of NGOs (KANET) Monthly Lecture at Nasarawa GRA, the figure had risen to over 400 arrests.

Presenting its scorecard to the State Executive Council in late September, the Taskforce reported a 35% reduction in drug-related crimes in the last three months, attributing it to intensified enforcement, seizures and over 500 convictions as of October 22.

Operations have focused on identified hotspots: Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami, Kawo, Tashar Rimi, Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama and Kukar Bulukiya.

Recoveries include Cannabis Sativa, Tramadol, Diazepam, Pentazocine, Pregabalin, Exol-5 and a Methamphetamine-based designer drug. In one case, 870,000 capsules of Pregabalin were seized from a pharmaceutical company over suspected diversion. Local weapons – knives, daggers, cutlasses and clubs – used by gangs were also recovered.

The Taskforce also recorded high-profile arrests. On August 18, it announced the arrest of a former Chairman of Rogo Local Government for allegedly selling and administering fentanyl injections to youths, after a victim who spent over N2 million on injections identified him.

Latest: Gang Sponsor Tracked to Port Harcourt

In its most recent operation, the Taskforce announced on October 30 the arrest of a 27-year-old suspected gang violence sponsor, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, from Yalwa in Dala LGA.

According to the committee, Malam Keya was allegedly financing violent clashes by rival Daba gangs in Dala that claimed lives. He fled to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after crackdown intensified, but was tracked and arrested in an operation led by Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe, and brought back to Kano. He is now in police custody pending prosecution.

Chairman Muhyi said the arrest outside Kano shows the Taskforce will pursue suspects beyond state boundaries.

Beyond Enforcement: Children, Rehabilitation and Technology

The committee says its mandate is not just enforcement. It reported rescuing 43 underage children allegedly exposed to intoxicants and convicting two dealers – Kabiru Isa and Usman Hamisu – for the offence. About 125 persons were referred to the Kano Reformatory Institute in Kiru for rehabilitation. With Kiru overstretched, government has provided an additional facility in Tofa.

The Taskforce has set an ambitious target of taking 10,000 youths off the streets for rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration.

On August 21, Barr. Muhyi inaugurated nine sub-committees to professionalize the fight: Finance; Media and Publicity; Advocacy and Sensitisation; Licences, Inventory and Verification; Compliance, Inspection and Electronic Tracking; Monitoring and Implementation; Intelligence; Reformative and Traditional Council; and Anti-Drug Coordination.

Tech Turn: AI, 24-Hour Line and NDLEA Support

In the last two weeks, the Taskforce unveiled a new approach. On October 22, Barr. Muhyi, on behalf of Governor Yusuf, donated operational equipment to the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command led by Commander Dahiru Yahaya Lawan, to boost operations.

He also disclosed that Kano is deploying Artificial Intelligence for surveillance and tracking of suspected dealers, and equipping a rapid-response centre with ICT and a 24-hour toll-free line where residents can report and get response within 30 minutes.

At KANET lecture themed “Kano Drugs Crisis: Challenges, the Way Forward and the Role of the Community,” Muhyi stressed community intelligence and called for more rehabilitation to decongest remand homes.

No Sacred Cows

From day one, Barr. Muhyi has maintained a hard line on political interference. “No politician can pressure me to free drug suspects. The only person who can stop me is the Governor, and I know he will never interfere,” he told journalists on July 28.

That stance, coupled with intelligence-led raids, has earned the Taskforce both praise and scrutiny.

The Bigger Picture

Kano Police data cited by the Taskforce indicates about 70% of major crimes in 2025 were linked to drug abuse. The Executive Order outlawing Daba gangs provides a minimum of five years imprisonment under Section 97A of the Kano Penal Code.

Whether the Taskforce can sustain momentum will depend on three tests: securing the drug supply chain from pharmaceutical diversion, expanding rehabilitation beyond Kiru, and maintaining inter-agency cooperation without becoming a parallel enforcement body.

For now, in the markets of Filin Idi and the streets of Dala, residents say the presence of the committee is being felt.

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NUJ Kano Council Congratulates Sunusi Bature As Commissioner For Information

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NUJ Kano Council Congratulates Sunusi Bature As Commissioner For Information

The Nigeria union of journalists Kano state council heartily congratulates the newly appointed commissioner for information and internal affairs Alhaji Sunusi bature dawakin tofa.

The Kano council chairman Sulaiman Abdullahi Deideiri on behalf of the entire members of the union express his profound appreciation to the executive governor of Kano state Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for the well deserved appointment in positioning a seasoned media personnel to steer up the affairs of the ministry of information and internal affairs.
He then wished him Allah’s protection and guidance throughout his tenure..

In a statement signed by Council Secretary Hauwa Sulaiman Zahraddin said Sunusi Bature until his appointment was the director general media and publicity to the executive Governor of Kano.

He is a seasoned public relations expert, development communication and stakeholder engagement expert with 19 years working experience in both international development, private sector and the media in Nigeria.

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Kano Assembly Confirms Ex-Speaker Gani, Sunusi Bature As Commissioners

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Kano Assembly Confirms Ex-Speaker Gani, Sunusi Bature As Commissioners

The Kano State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointments of former Speaker, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, as commissioners in the state executive council.

The confirmation followed the successful screening of the two nominees during Tuesday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Isma’il Falgore.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had earlier forwarded their names to the Assembly for screening and confirmation to fill vacancies in the Ministries of Mineral Resources and Information.

Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, who served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly during the administration of former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, was confirmed as Commissioner-designate for Mineral Resources.

Similarly, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, who previously served as the Governor’s spokesperson, was confirmed for the Ministry of Information.

Speaking to journalists after his screening, Bature outlined his vision for revitalising government-owned media organisations in Kano State, stressing the need to strengthen public information and improve the state’s media infrastructure.

He specifically highlighted plans to revive the operations of Kano Radio, expand the number of ARTV stations and provide adequate manpower and modern broadcasting equipment.

He also emphasised the need to reposition the state-owned Triumph Publishing Company by equipping it with sufficient personnel and modern facilities to enable it to resume daily newspaper publication.

The confirmation of the two nominees is expected to strengthen the state executive council and enhance the administration’s efforts in the management of the respective ministries.

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D/Tofa Citizens Concerned Hails Gov. Abba For The Nomination Of Sunusi Bature As Commissioner

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D/Tofa Citizens Concerned Hails Gov. Abba For The Nomination Of Sunusi Bature As Commissioner

Community celebrates Sunusi Bature D/Tofa’s nomination as the 10th Commissioner from Dawakin Tofa

Dawakin Tofa Concerned Citizens has commended the Executive Governor of Kano State Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for nominating Sunusi Bature D-Tofa as Commissioner and Member of the Kano State Executive Council, describing the development as a landmark of political recognition, inclusion and confidence in the people of Dawakin Tofa.

The group expressed profound appreciation to the Governor for recognising the contributions of its illustrious son and providing him with another opportunity to serve Kano State at a higher level of responsibility.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary of Dawakin Tofa Concerned Citizens, Ibrahim Yaro D-Tofa, Talban Alajawa and Santurakin Sardaunan Hausa, and made available to newsmen in Kano.

The statement described the nomination as a significant affirmation of Dawakin Tofa’s political relevance and longstanding contributions to the development of Kano State.

It commended Governor Yusuf for demonstrating that loyalty, competence, political commitment and effective service remain important considerations in his administration.

Dawakin Tofa’s 10th Commissioner

The group said Sunusi Bature D-Tofa’s nomination marks a historic milestone, making him the 10th individual from Dawakin Tofa to be nominated for appointment as Commissioner in Kano State.

It noted that the achievement places him among a distinguished group of sons of the community whose contributions have shaped the political and administrative development of the state.

The nine previous commissioners from Dawakin Tofa are Alhaji Abdu Dawakin Tofa, Engr. Magaji Abdullahi, Dr. Faizu Baffa Yola, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Dr. Mahmoud Baffa, Malam Alasan Dawaki, Surveyor Muhammad Nadu Yahaya, Engr. Muazu Magaji Dan Sarauniya and Engr. Idris Wada Sale.

According to the group, the nomination is a source of immense pride and a testament to the community’s enduring contribution to Kano State.

Three promotions in three years

Dawakin Tofa Concerned Citizens described Sunusi Bature D-Tofa’s progression from Chief Press Secretary to Director-General, Media and Publicity, and now Commissioner as three successive promotions within three years.

It said the progression reflects the Governor’s confidence in his leadership, competence, loyalty and capacity to deliver results.

The group described him as a public relations expert, strategic communication specialist and grassroots politician who has demonstrated a strong understanding of political communication, public engagement and the relationship between government and the people.

It added that his nomination was a recognition of his professionalism and political commitment, as well as an indication that the Governor values individuals who understand grassroots realities.

The statement noted that the development had reinforced the community’s confidence in Governor Yusuf’s leadership and commitment to recognising capable individuals across the state.

A vote of confidence in the Governor

The group described the nomination as an important step towards strengthening the political relationship between the Kano State Government and the people of Dawakin Tofa.

It expressed confidence that the appointment would create greater opportunities for meaningful engagement and development while encouraging increased participation in the collective pursuit of peace and progress.

The group also reaffirmed its support and goodwill towards Governor Yusuf’s administration, expressing appreciation for his continued confidence in its son.

It congratulated Sunusi Bature D-Tofa on the nomination and urged him to regard the opportunity as a renewed call to greater service, responsibility and accountability.

The statement expressed confidence that he would justify the trust reposed in him by the Governor and the people of Kano State.

It also prayed for Allah’s guidance, wisdom and strength for the nominee as he prepares to assume his new responsibilities.

“Dawakin Tofa stands proud, united and grateful. We celebrate our son, appreciate our Governor and look forward to a stronger partnership for the development of Kano State,” the statement said.

The group concluded by reaffirming its appreciation to Governor Yusuf for recognising its son and providing him with another opportunity to serve the state.

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