The Chairman of the Kano State Inter-Agency Committee on Combating Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, has said the committee will not allow people involved in drug-related offences to continue hiding from the authorities.
Muhuyi said the committee would collaborate with The Recovery Hub Foundation to strengthen the fight against drug abuse and support people struggling with substance use in Kano State.
He explained that whenever credible information is received about the whereabouts of a suspect, the committee would follow due process by obtaining a court order to enter places where the suspect was believed to be hiding and arrest them.
He said, “If we obtain a court order, we will enter anywhere the law permits us to go in order to arrest the suspect. We will not allow any place to become a safe haven for people involved in drug-related offences.”
Muhuyi also warned that parents who assist their children in evading the authorities could face legal action.
“Any parent who is found to have hidden their child inside the house after the authorities have come looking for them over allegations of committing an offence will also be arrested because they are assisting the suspect,” he said.
He added that where a person suspected of using illicit drugs is hidden by family members to prevent their arrest, the authorities would take appropriate action in accordance with the law.
The committee chairman expressed concern over the increasing impact of drug abuse on young children, saying that, in some cases, children under the age of 10 are being used to transport illicit drugs.
He said some young children were also being given drugs to consume, describing the situation as a serious threat to their lives and future.
Muhuyi stressed that the fight against drug abuse was not the responsibility of government and security agencies alone, calling on parents and members of the wider community to support efforts to tackle the problem.
He said collaboration between the committee and The Recovery Hub would help strengthen public awareness, support people struggling with substance abuse and contribute to raising young people who would become productive members of society.
“Everyone has a role to play in the fight against drug abuse. We want to safeguard the future of our society and raise productive young people,” Muhuyi said.
