Kano Drug War: No Sacred Cows in Gaya, Emir Tells Traditional Rulers
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO — The Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, on Wednesday declared that no one, regardless of status or position, should be shielded from prosecution over illicit drug offences.
Consequently, the monarch ordered traditional rulers in the emirate to apprehend and hand over suspected drug offenders to the relevant authorities for prosecution.
The Emir gave the directive when he received members of the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drugs Abuse and Trafficking at his palace in Gaya.
He said ward, village and district heads had been directed to apprehend suspected drug offenders and hand them over to the relevant authorities, stressing that the directive applied equally to highly placed individuals.
“We have already directed all our ward, village and district heads to apprehend and hand over any suspect to the authorities for prosecution, no matter how highly placed he may be,” the Emir said.
As part of the emirate’s zero-tolerance policy, he also disclosed that drug screening had been introduced for individuals being considered for appointments within the emirate.
The Emir said the screening policy should be replicated at all levels of government, arguing that efforts to curb substance abuse must go beyond public awareness to decisive action against offenders.
He described drug abuse and trafficking as a serious threat requiring concerted efforts from government, traditional institutions, security agencies and other stakeholders.
The Emir commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for establishing the task force and assured its members of the emirate’s support in the campaign, while urging authorities to ensure the prompt prosecution of persons found culpable.
Earlier, the Task Force Chairman, Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, represented by Dr Aminu Magashi, said the delegation visited the palace to seek the Emir’s royal blessing and support for its activities.
Magashi disclosed that the task force would soon organise a sensitisation meeting to raise public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking.
He said the task force had recorded some successes since its establishment and expressed optimism that stronger collaboration with traditional institutions would help sustain the campaign.