The Kano State Government has shut down a shisha lounge, Arfat, located along Abdullahi Bayero Road, for allegedly promoting drug abuse and violating state laws on public smoking.
The closure followed a joint operation carried out by the Kano State Tourism Board, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Kano State Police Command.
Chairman of the Kano State Tourism Board, Alhaji Tukur Bala Sagagi, confirmed the action while speaking to journalists. He stated that the government acted based on existing laws that prohibit shisha smoking and other drug-related activities in the state.
“There is a law that prohibits shisha smoking in Kano State, and the government will not tolerate anyone violating it,” Sagagi said.
He added that the raid was part of the state’s ongoing campaign against drug abuse, especially among youths, and that the government would continue to clamp down on places that promote such harmful habits.
According to officials involved in the operation, illegal substances were found inside the lounge, and some suspects were arrested by NDLEA officers during the raid. Their identities have not yet been made public, but investigations are ongoing.
The action has sent a strong signal to other lounge and entertainment spot owners in the city. Alhaji Sagagi urged business operators whose places are used for illegal activities like shisha smoking or drug consumption to “clean up their places or shut them down before the government takes action.”
He warned that the government will not spare anyone caught encouraging or enabling the use of hard drugs, especially in public places.
“We are committed to protecting our young people and the entire society from the dangers of drug abuse,” he added.
Shisha, a type of flavoured tobacco smoked using a waterpipe, has become popular in some urban centres across Nigeria, particularly among youths. However, Kano State has strict laws against shisha smoking, which is seen as both a public health risk and a gateway to drug abuse.
In 2021, the Kano State Hisbah Board and other state agencies began a campaign to shut down shisha bars and arrest users. The state government has repeatedly warned that shisha smoking is banned under the state’s tobacco control laws, and any violation would be met with legal consequences.
The recent closure of Arfat Lounge shows the state is serious about enforcing these laws and tackling drug-related issues in the community.
While some residents supported the move, others have called for more youth engagement and awareness campaigns to prevent addiction rather than relying solely on arrests and shutdowns.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA said it will continue working with state agencies to identify and shut down similar spots that promote drug abuse in Kano and across Nigeria.
