From Garba Abdullahi Bagwai in Kano
The Kano State Government is set to establish three reformatory institutes to rehabilitate and reintegrate persons involved in drug abuse, street gang activities and thuggery.
The proposed law for the establishment of the institutes will soon be presented to the Kano State House of Assembly by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The Chairman of the Kano State Special Taskforce on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Citizenship Daily on Monday (today).
He said the taskforce expected the proposed law to be ready before the end of November, expressing optimism that the state lawmakers would give it speedy consideration because of its importance to security, social well-being and economic development.
“We have already made all the necessary observations on the proposed draft law, and the Attorney-General has also signed it,” Muhuyi Magaji said.
He explained that, once established under the proposed law, each institute would have the capacity to accommodate at least 1,000 persons undergoing rehabilitation and reintegration.
According to him, the taskforce is targeting the reintegration of at least 10,000 persons involved in drug abuse and thuggery annually.
Muhuyi Magaji said that, after the bill is passed by the Assembly and assented to by the governor, the government would be empowered to establish the institutes across the state’s three senatorial districts.
He identified the proposed facilities as the Ganduje Reformatory Institute, representing Kano North, the Kuyan Ta’Inna Institute in Kano Central,and additional institutes to be established in Kiru and Gaya to serve Kano South.
He added that the institutes would be headed by a Director-General/Commandant, with the governor serving as the overall supervisor. The Chairman of the Special Taskforce on Drug Abuse and the Secretary to the State Government would also be among the officials overseeing their operations.
The taskforce chairman commended Islamic clerics and parents for their cooperation and encouragement since the committee was established about three months ago.
He said their support had helped the taskforce address about 35 per cent of street gang activities and thuggery in the Kano metropolis.
“Since the establishment of the taskforce, we have made several arrests involving suspected drug abusers and thugs. Some of those arrested have been taken to court, while others have been placed in our reformatory centres for reintegration and detoxification,” he said.
He further disclosed that arrangements were being made to transfer female inmates from the Kiru Reformatory Centre to Gaya to ease overcrowding.
Muhuyi Magaji also praised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his commitment to ensuring the successful operation of the taskforce.
He called on wealthy individuals and other well-meaning members of society to support the government by providing assistance needed to operate the reformatory centres effectively.
