Kano State Health Commissioner orders arrest of trader for selling free government child‑nutrition supplies
Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, ordered the detention of a trader accused of selling government‑issued child nutrition supplies that are intended to be distributed free of charge to vulnerable families.
The directive followed a routine inspection by the commissioner and his team at health commodity distribution points across Kano on Sunday. During the visit, officials discovered Surajo Ibrahim, a dried‑food seller operating in the Kofar Dawanau area along Northwest Road, in possession of cartons of Ready‑to‑Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF). RUTF is a specialized product used to treat children with severe acute malnutrition.
Dr Yusuf described the sale of the free commodity as “unacceptable” and detrimental to public‑health efforts in the state. “This is a commodity provided by the government free of charge. Anyone who buys or sells it is committing an offence,” he said, emphasizing that the supplies are funded by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to support children in need.
The commissioner instructed that the suspect be handed over to the Dala Police Division for investigation and possible prosecution. He also called for a comprehensive probe into how the products were diverted from the official distribution chain. “We will not tolerate any attempt to sabotage programmes meant to save lives, especially those targeting vulnerable children,” the commissioner added.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in safeguarding humanitarian supplies in Nigeria’s northern states, where severe acute malnutrition remains a public‑health concern. Authorities say a thorough audit of distribution records will be conducted to prevent further diversions and to reinforce the integrity of nutrition programmes.
The Dala Police Division has confirmed receipt of the suspect and indicated that further details will be released pending the outcome of the investigation.
