Kano ready for state police as Yusuf declares drug taskforce begins work

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared that the State is fully prepared for the establishment of State Police, saying the proposed security structure will strengthen community policing and improve the protection of lives and property.

Governor Yusuf made the declaration on Wednesday while inaugurating the Inter-Agencies Task Force on Drug Abuse and Trafficking at the Government House in Kano.

According to a statement issued by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor’s spokesperson, Yusuf said the proposed State Police would complement the Nigeria Police Force rather than replace it, noting that both institutions share the responsibility of maintaining law and order and protecting citizens.

He said closer collaboration between the two policing structures would strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response to security threats and boost public confidence in law enforcement.

Governor Yusuf maintained that Kano has the institutional capacity, human resources and political will to establish and sustain a state police system once the required constitutional and legal frameworks are put in place.

He reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and creating a safer environment for economic, educational and social activities.

The governor also linked the inauguration of the Inter-Agencies Task Force on Drug Abuse and Trafficking to his administration’s broader security agenda, describing it as a coordinated effort to tackle the growing challenge of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the state.

He said the task force would deepen collaboration among security agencies, law enforcement institutions and other stakeholders in addressing substance abuse and drug-related crimes.

Governor Yusuf urged members of the committee to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, integrity and dedication, stressing that sustained cooperation among relevant agencies and stakeholders remains essential to winning the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

The governor’s position comes amid ongoing national discussions on the creation of state police as a strategy to address rising insecurity across the country, with several state governments expressing support for the proposed decentralisation of policing.