RismadarVoice Reporters
November 15, 2026
The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has announced the arrest of 1,760 suspects and 890 convictions in its ongoing campaign against drug abuse and illegal trafficking.
The task force also disclosed the seizure of 3.18 million capsules of pregabalin, raising concerns about the illegal distribution and misuse of controlled pharmaceutical substances.
Its Chairman, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, revealed the figures during a briefing with journalists on Saturday, November 14.
According to Rimingado, 63 cases are awaiting trial, while approximately 690 convicted offenders are serving sentences in correctional facilities.
Other offenders, he explained, received penalties including fines, community service and rehabilitation orders.
The chairman identified pregabalin as a major substance of concern, claiming that eight out of every 10 suspected drug users arrested by the task force were either found with the medication or admitted to abusing it.
He expressed concern that the substance remained widely available through illegal channels despite restrictions governing its distribution.
Rimingado argued that enforcement efforts would achieve limited results if authorities concentrated on arresting users without addressing manufacturers, importers, distributors and dealers involved in unlawful supply networks.
The task force also sealed a pharmaceutical facility in the Sabon Gari area of Kano over allegations involving the illegal distribution of pregabalin.
The chairman raised concerns about the activities of some pharmaceutical operators and accused certain officials of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control of allegedly facilitating access to controlled medicines.
He questioned the issuance of pharmaceutical import licences and the registration of premises suspected of being used for unlawful distribution.
However, the allegations against regulatory officials and pharmaceutical operators have not been established by a court.
The task force said it was reviewing relevant licensing and distribution records as part of its investigation.
Rimingado called for stronger cooperation among law enforcement agencies, pharmaceutical regulators and other stakeholders to prevent controlled medicines from entering illegal markets.
He also warned that public officials found to have facilitated drug trafficking would face appropriate legal action.
The chairman reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to disrupting illegal supply networks, expanding public awareness and strengthening rehabilitation programmes across Kano State.
