Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has rescued 43 children allegedly exposed to intoxicants by two “rubber solution” dealers in the state.
The task force also arrested over 380 suspects and secured over 230 convictions within two months of its inauguration.
The chairman of the task force, Muhuyi Magaji, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the committee’s activities since its inauguration by Governor Abba Yusuf on 22nd July, 2026.
Magaji said the two dealers, Kabiru Isa, aka Mada, and Usman Hamisu, aka Mani, had been convicted for allegedly supplying “rubber solution” and other intoxicating substances to the children, who were engaged in street scavenging.
He said the dealers allegedly gave the children intoxicants instead of proper payment for their services, exposing them to the harmful effects of substance abuse.
According to him, the rescued children have undergone medical examinations and are currently receiving counselling and treatment, while efforts are ongoing to trace their families.
“Some families have already been identified and reunited,” he said.
Magaji said the development formed part of the task force’s operations to dismantle drug joints and criminal hideouts across the state.
He said the task force had dislodged several suspected drug joints in Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami, Kawo and other areas, leading to the arrest of over 380 suspects.
He added that assorted illicit substances, including Cannabis Sativa, Exol-5, Diazepam, Pentazocine, Tramadol, Pregabalin and a designer drug containing methamphetamine, were recovered during the operations.
The chairman disclosed that about 125 individuals had also been referred to the Kano Reformatory Institute, Kiru, for rehabilitation.
He said the increasing demand for rehabilitation had forced the institute to reach capacity, prompting the state government to provide an additional facility in Tofa Local Government Area.
Magaji said the task force was targeting 10,000 youths for rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration into society.
He added that the committee was engaging industrial stakeholders to create employment and other productive opportunities for rehabilitated youths.
