Kano Busts Major Drug Cartel, Arrests 380 Suspects, Recovers Weapons

In Kano, the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking successfully dismantled a major drug cartel, arresting 380 suspects and recovering dangerous weapons over a two-month period, according to Chairman Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado. The task force, formed on July 22, 2026, has secured over 230 convictions and now focuses on rehabilitating 10,000 youths through skills acquisition and reintegration programs.

During the crackdown, the committee conducted joint operations in key areas such as Race Course, Filin Idi, and Tashar Rami, targeting notorious drug dens where miscreants gather to consume illicit substances and engage in violence. Substances recovered include Cannabis Sativa, Exol-5, Diazepam, and Pregabalin Capsules, among others, as well as various weapons like knives, cutlasses, daggers, and clubs.

The task force is particularly concerned about the diversion of controlled drugs from legitimate supply chains, as evidenced by the seizure of 870,000 capsules of Pregabalin from a major pharmaceutical company, a violation of both federal and Kano State policies. Two dealers, Kabiru Isa and Usman Hamisu, were convicted for exposing 43 underage children to intoxicants, and efforts are underway to rescue, medically check, and counsel these children while working towards family reunification.