FACT SHEET: Innovative Use of Drugs in Kano State

The menace of drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria has reached an intolerable level, hence the concerted agitation by various stakeholders that it should be put on a leash. The prevalence of drugs in Kano is shaped by the size of the population which provides a readymade market. The population of Kano (estimated at 19m) and its status of being a commercial nerve centre of the entire West African states, coupled with the illiteracy level, provides a fertile ground for trafficking in and abuse of the drugs. A report by the Bayero University on ‘Drug Abuse Perils Nigeria’s Future’ revealed that the NDLEA confiscated about 47 tonnes of illegal drugs in 2017 and in 2018 to date 30 tonnes were taken from drug dealers in Kano. the Command also confiscated 367 kg of cannabis, 6 tons of synthetic drugs, 10 gram of cocaine and 3.2g of heroin amongst other drugs.  An arrest of about 250 persons were made and out of which 53 were convicted while 98 counseled.