The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, has ordered the arrest of a trader accused of selling special nutrition products meant to be given free to children from poor and vulnerable families.
The order came after a routine inspection carried out on Sunday at different distribution centres across Kano.
During the visit, officials found a suspect, identified as Surajo Ibrahim, who sells dried food in the Kofar Dawanau area along Northwest Road, with several cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF). This product is specially designed to treat children suffering from severe malnutrition.
Reacting to the discovery, the commissioner said the act is very serious and could harm efforts to improve children’s health in the state. He made it clear that the nutrition items are not for sale under any condition.
“These products are provided by the government at no cost. Anyone caught buying or selling them is breaking the law,” he said.
He explained that the supplies are funded by the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to support children who need urgent nutritional care.
The commissioner directed that the suspect be taken to the Dala Police Division for further investigation and possible legal action. He also called for a full inquiry to find out how the products ended up in the market.
He warned that the government will take strict action against anyone trying to divert or misuse items meant to save lives, especially those intended for vulnerable children.