Residents of Bajallabe community around the FCE Gate 1 axis of Kano metropolis have rejected an alleged N10 million bribe offered to community representatives and local vigilante personnel in an attempt to cover up a suspected drug trafficking operation.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday after residents reportedly became suspicious of a Golf vehicle parked alongside a motorcycle near a residential building in the area.
According to a statement issued by Lamara Garba, a member of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Substances, the vehicle was allegedly loaded with substances suspected to be illicit drugs.
Residents were said to have approached the driver to seek clarification about the contents of the vehicle. During the encounter, the driver allegedly offered N10 million to community representatives and vigilante personnel to have the matter overlooked.
However, the offer was reportedly rejected, with the residents insisting that the appropriate authorities should be contacted to investigate the matter.
The chairman of the local vigilante group subsequently alerted the Multi-Agency Task Force and the Nigeria Police Force, Rijiyar Zaki Division, as tension reportedly began to rise at the scene.
Police personnel responded and took custody of the vehicle and the individuals involved, who were transferred to the Rijiyar Zaki Police Division for further investigation.
Garba said operatives of the task force were also working with relevant authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the discovery.
The task force cautioned that the recovered items were only suspected to be illicit substances, noting that their actual nature and legal status would be determined through investigation and, where necessary, laboratory examination.
The chairman of the Multi-Agency Task Force, Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, commended the community for refusing to compromise despite the alleged financial inducement.
He described the action of the residents and vigilante members as a demonstration of courage and civic responsibility, saying communities have an important role to play in efforts to tackle drug trafficking and substance abuse.
He added that, in line with the executive order recently signed by the Kano State governor, the property where the suspected substances were discovered would be sealed, while other necessary actions would be taken in accordance with the provisions of the order.
