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| Drug offenders to Rehabilitate |
The Kano State Government has launched a one-year programme aimed at detoxifying, rehabilitating and reintegrating 10,000 drug offenders across the state.
The initiative was announced by the Chairman of the Kano State Multi-Agency Taskforce on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Muhyi Magaji Rimin-Gado, during a press conference at the weekend. He said the programme is designed to curb drug abuse, drug trafficking and related gun violence, while also boosting the state’s economic potential by turning former offenders into productive citizens.
Rimin-Gado explained that without meaningful opportunities after serving their sentences, many offenders risk returning to drug-related crimes. The new approach therefore combines enforcement with rehabilitation and economic empowerment rather than relying solely on arrest and imprisonment.
Under the programme, participants will first undergo training to renounce drug abuse and trafficking, followed by medical detoxification. They will then receive vocational training in various trades and crafts intended to make them self-reliant.
“The current phase of the programme covers garment making, leatherwork, brickmaking and electrical repairs,” Rimin-Gado said. “Over time, we will expand the scope to include GSM repairs and other vocational skills.”
The state government’s ambition is that within one year, the 10,000 beneficiaries will acquire one or two skills that keep them occupied, generate income and allow them to contribute positively to society.
Unlike some empowerment schemes that provide cash or equipment directly to individuals, the Kano programme will support beneficiaries to form clusters based on their areas of training. The government plans to secure locations within their communities, provide the necessary equipment and capital, and encourage those in the same trade clusters to register their businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
Rimin-Gado expressed optimism that, given the size of Kano’s market, the registered businesses could grow into sustainable ventures capable of supporting the rehabilitated offenders and reducing the likelihood of relapse into crime.
The initiative marks a shift from a purely punitive approach to one that prioritises recovery, skills acquisition and long-term reintegration. Officials believe that addressing both the medical and economic dimensions of drug dependence will help reduce pressure on correctional facilities and improve public safety across the state.
By targeting 10,000 drug offenders within a 12-month period, the Kano State Government aims to make a significant impact on substance abuse and its links to violent crime, while creating pathways for former offenders to rebuild their lives as productive members of society.