The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, has mandated the detention of a merchant caught selling government-funded nutritional items intended for no-cost distribution to at-risk families.
This action came after the commissioner and his delegation carried out a surprise check at various health supply locations in Kano on Sunday.
The detained individual, Surajo Ibrahim, a dried food vendor in the Kofar Dawanau district along Northwest Road, was discovered with several cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a product used to treat children with severe acute malnutrition.
Commissioner Yusuf expressed outrage, calling the behavior unacceptable and detrimental to the state’s public health initiatives.
“These items are provided by the government at no charge. Purchasing or selling them is illegal,” he stated.
He underscored that the supplies are financed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to support underprivileged children.
He promptly instructed that the suspect be transferred to the Dala Police Division for inquiry and likely prosecution, while urging a comprehensive investigation into how the goods were redirected.
“We will not permit any effort to undermine programs designed to save lives, especially those focusing on at-risk children,” the commissioner added.