Kano has uncovered a disturbing new dimension to its drug crisis, with minors allegedly being recruited by drug dealers to abuse and distribute illicit substances.
The Kano State Multi-Agency Taskforce on Drug Abuse and other related offences said some children arrested during its operations were not only using drugs but had also been drawn into criminal activities, including drug delivery and theft.
The taskforce chairman, Rimingado, said the minors were picked up at different locations across the Kano metropolis, including Sabon Gari, Gadar Lado, Unguwa Uku and Kofar Ruwa motor parks, as well as other suspected drug-use joints.
He said investigations showed that some adults were deliberately recruiting children into the illicit trade.
According to him, two adults found guilty of recruiting minors into drug abuse and other crimes have been convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison each without an option of fine.
Rimingado said the taskforce had secured the conviction of more than 200 offenders in just 40 days, following a sustained crackdown on drug abuse and trafficking.
The operation has also seen security operatives conduct about 100 raids on suspected drug spots, arresting dozens of addicts and confiscating large quantities of illicit drugs and other substances.
But the taskforce said the problem goes beyond Kano-born children.
Rimingado disclosed that preliminary findings indicated that many of the minors arrested came from neighbouring states, including Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara and Adamawa.
Some of the children reportedly take shelter in motor parks, under bridges, around schools and other public structures, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by drug dealers and criminal networks.
With the alarming discovery, the Kano State Government has set its sights on arresting 2,500 minor drug addicts within the next two weeks.
The target comes on top of the government’s plan to tackle 10,000 adult drug addicts across the state.
However, the taskforce chairman stressed that the fight against drug abuse could not be left to government and security agencies alone.
He urged parents and members of the public to be more vigilant and play their part in protecting children from drug dealers and criminal gangs.
Rimingado said the government remained committed not just to arresting offenders but also to rehabilitating and reintegrating drug addicts into society.
The latest findings have added a disturbing twist to Kano’s drug crisis, with children now emerging as a vulnerable target in the battle against illicit substances and crime.
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