Kano authorities reopen 10 warehouses previously accused of hoarding foodstuffs.
The Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission announced on Tuesday that it had lifted the seals on the 10 warehouses previously closed last week over accusations of hoarding foodstuffs.
Chairman of the commission, Muhyi Magaji, informed The PUNCH in a phone interview that the owners of the warehouses had appeared, and they were instructed to open and sell their goods to the public.
The commission’s intervention.
Magaji added that as a result, Kano had started to observe a decline in the prices of foodstuffs.
He stated, “The commission’s intervention has compelled the dealers to bring their commodities to markets and also decrease their prices.”
“We visited several markets, including Dawanau International Grains Market, Singer Market, and Kwari Market, among others.
“If you go to Shuwari market in Jigawa and Faskari and other markets in neighboring states, you’ll notice a reduction in grain prices compared to before.
“During the operation, the owners of the warehouses were absent, but those that were opened contained various commodities such as spaghetti, rice, sugar, and other food items.”
“The owners were notified to appear before the commission to prepare for charges in court for their illegal actions,” Muhuyi stated.
He emphasized that the operation played a vital role in curbing the rise in grain and essential commodity prices in the state.
Muhuyi rejected the claim.
Muhuyi rejected the claim made by the Management of Dawanau International Grains Market that they were not hoarding foodstuffs to create artificial scarcity.
Naija Eyes reported that grain dealers at the Dawanau International Grains Market reduced grain prices following a warning from the state anti-graft agency. Prices dropped to N53,000 per bag of maize from N60,000, and N49,000 per bag of guinea corn from N55,000. Millet prices decreased from N60,000 to N53,000 per bag, and beans now cost between N85,000 and N90,000, down from N95,000 to N100,000, depending on quality.
Nigeria Customs Service.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service, Kano Area Command, announced on Tuesday that they intercepted four trucks loaded with food items in efforts to combat smuggling. Spokesman Saidu Nuradeen disclosed the seizure, including 1,505 cartons of dried fish, 17 bags of local rice, and two bags of beans, along the Hadejia-Taura-Ringim axis in Jigawa State. Nuradeen emphasized the Customs’ commitment to enforcing border closure policies to safeguard the nation’s economy and ensure food security, stating that smuggling undermines legitimate trade channels and poses health risks while depriving the government of revenue.
