Dutse, April 27, 2026
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, has identified drug abuse and youth-related challenges as major drivers of crime, calling for urgent, coordinated efforts to curb the growing menace.
The governor made the remarks on Monday while receiving the new Commissioner of Police, Haruna Alaba Yahaya, during a courtesy visit at Government House, Dutse.
The visit enabled the police commissioner to formally introduce himself and outline his strategic priorities for strengthening security across the state.
Speaking during the meeting, Governor Namadi noted a troubling link between rising criminal activities and substance abuse among young people.
“We are aware of the crimes you mentioned. Many of them are linked to youth-related issues and drug abuse,” the governor said, stressing that tackling drug abuse could significantly reduce crime rates.
He emphasized that addressing the challenge requires a multi-dimensional approach combining law enforcement with grassroots engagement. According to him, collaboration with stakeholders—including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), religious leaders, and traditional institutions—is critical to sensitizing the public and discouraging harmful behaviors.
Namadi also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies, describing peace and stability as a collective responsibility. He pledged to improve operational conditions for the police, including addressing infrastructural gaps affecting some divisions.
Earlier, CP Yahaya described his deployment to Jigawa as both an honour and a significant responsibility, assuring the government of his determination to sustain and enhance security.
“My assumption of duty comes with a clear and unwavering mandate to ensure that Jigawa State remains secure for law-abiding citizens and hostile to criminal elements,” he said.
He highlighted ongoing plans to strengthen intelligence-led policing, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and intensify operations against criminal networks.
The commissioner also underscored the importance of public trust, noting that effective policing depends heavily on community cooperation.
CP Yahaya further revealed plans to establish a Violent Crime Response Unit, in line with directives from the Inspector General of Police, to improve rapid response to emerging security threats in the state.
