The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has taken decisive action by confiscating 10 warehouses containing assorted foodstuffs in the Dawanau area of Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area. The commission’s Chairman, Mr. Muhyi Magaji, revealed this to the media after the successful operation at Dawanau International Grains Market, Singer Market, and Kwari Textiles Market on Sunday.
During the operation, it was noted that the owners of the warehouses were conspicuously absent, but upon inspection, the opened warehouses were found to be stocked with a variety of commodities, including spaghetti, rice, pasta, sugar, and other essential food items. Mr. Magaji stated that the owners had been issued notices to report to the commission in preparation for facing legal charges related to their alleged illegal activities.
Mr. Magaji emphasized the commission’s commitment to combating the hoarding of essential commodities in the state, citing the impact of their recent actions in preventing an abrupt surge in prices. He highlighted the significant increase in the price of rice within a week, from N52,000 to N61,000, expressing confidence that sustained efforts would bring down the prices.
The chairman also raised concerns about the claim that some stores were purportedly designated as World Food Programme stores, questioning the possibility of such a program diverting food meant for the country elsewhere. He highlighted the unacceptable 100% increase in the price of maize, from N30,000 to N60,000, and emphasized that the confiscated warehouses contained hundreds of millions of Naira worth of hoarded commodities.
As part of their ongoing efforts, the commission is set to make arrests and take further actions against those involved in the illegal hoarding of essential goods. Mr. Magaji reiterated the commission’s determination to address this issue, emphasizing that these warehouses were not legitimate markets but rather hoarding centers, and intelligence mechanisms have been activated to uncover other locations involved in such activities.
