Concerned by Rising Thuggery and Drug Abuse, APC Chieftain Zaura Launches Initiative to Rescue Kano Youths
Alarmed by the escalating issues of thuggery and drug abuse in Kano State, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulsalam Abdulkarim, popularly known as A. A. Zaura, has warned that the situation could become catastrophic if not urgently addressed.
Zaura made the remarks during a stakeholders’ meeting organized to unveil his initiative, From Street to Straight—an intervention project aimed at curbing thuggery and drug addiction through comprehensive study, policy development, and community action.
The APC’s 2023 Kano Central Senatorial candidate appealed to all stakeholders—community leaders, policymakers, security agencies, and the public—to come together in a united front to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the youth in the state.
“Our foundation is committed to tackling this crisis head-on. If we fail to act now, the consequences will be disastrous,” Zaura emphasized. “Children as young as 13 are already involved in thuggery and substance abuse. It’s our collective responsibility to reshape their future.”
He called on traditional rulers and community elders to play an active role in salvaging the situation. “We must not let our youth feel abandoned. Let us reach out to them, listen to them, and guide them back to a meaningful life,” he urged.
Zaura also disclosed that his initiative aims to reintegrate affected youths through education and vocational empowerment. “We’ve already begun efforts to return them to school and equip them with trade skills. This project transcends politics—it’s about building a peaceful Kano where safety is guaranteed for all.”
In support of the initiative, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, highlighted the gravity of the problem. He said crime analysis conducted by the police command shows that thuggery and drug abuse are among the most pressing security concerns in the state.
“Within just two months of assuming office, we have arrested 357 individuals involved in thuggery, drug trafficking, and other related crimes. We also recovered a significant quantity of illicit drugs,” the Commissioner revealed.
Similarly, the Kano State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abubakar Idris, affirmed the agency’s commitment to combating the menace. “We will leave no stone unturned in our mission to identify, confront, and eradicate the threats posed by drug abuse and gangsterism in our communities,” he declared.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Project Director, Garba Shehu, described the meeting as timely and vital. He noted that it served as a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on a critical societal issue and to collectively chart a course toward lasting peace and youth development in Kano State.