Illicit drugs: Major hubs identified in Kano as high cost forces users to cut down patronage

The rising cost of illicit drugs has forced users to cut down on consumption, GOSSIP UNION investigation has revealed. This is even as our reporter identified major hubs where the substances are sold.
A long-time drug user who requested anonymity and resides in one of the hotspots for drug activities-Filin-Idi told GOSSIP UNION that the rising costs of the illicit substances have made drugs unaffordable for many addicts and others craving for them.

“Some drugs now cost ₦13,000 , ₦10,000, ₦5,000, making them too expensive for us. Only the children of the wealthy and corrupt government officials can afford them. We are not thieves,” he said.

When asked about the most notorious drug-selling locations, he named Masallacin Idi as the top spot in Kano.

“Whatever you need pills, marijuana, or sholisho—you can get it there. Other major locations include Dan’agundi, Kofar Mata, Kofar Na’isa, and Kofar Nassarawa,” he explained.

The source admitted to using drugs due to a lack of productive engagement but stated that drug abuse is declining, possibly due to economic hardship.

Other individuals connected to drug trade also confirmed that the high cost of drugs has led to a decline in consumption.

Kano State has long been notorious for widespread drug abuse among youths. In previous years, it was ranked as the state with the highest number of drug users in Nigeria.

But in response, the Kano State Government established a committee to combat drug abuse and phone snatching in July 2024. The committee, led by Brigadier General Gambo Mai’Adua (retd.), was tasked with tackling the crisis.

General Mai’Adua expressed concern over reports indicating that one in every six people in Kano uses illicit drugs, describing it as disturbing statistics that required urgent action.

Similarly, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano has been making efforts to curb the use of drugs and its abuse.

In an interview with GOSSIP UNION, NDLEA Kano Commander, Abubakar Idris Ahmad, stated that his officers had raided drug dens in Dan’agundi and Masallacin Idi. He, however, advised the government to develop abandoned lands to fight the menace.

“My advice to the government is to develop all abandoned lands to prevent them from becoming hideouts for criminals. The government must urgently decide what to do with the Masallacin Idi land,” he said.

But some analysts have accused the agency of being lenient on drug dealers.
There are also allegations that some officers give tips to drug peddlers about upcoming raids, allowing them to evade arrest. This allegation cannot be substantiated as the NDLEA has severally debunked it.

GOSSIP UNION reports that Filin Masallacin Idi became a major drug hub after the Abba Kabir Yusuf administration demolished illegal structures there.

The site, which was left in ruins, has since become a hideout for drug dealers and a marketplace for illicit substances.