The Kano State Consumer Protection Council (KCPC), in collaboration with the leadership of Singer Market, has arrested some traders accused of attempting to alter the expiry dates of an expired milk product.
The council also sealed the shops linked to the alleged offence.
In a statement signed by its Director of Public Enlightenment, Jamilu Mustapha Yakasai, the council said the operation followed an emergency call from the Deputy Chairman of the Traders’ Association, Aminu Umar Dogara.
The Director of Monitoring of Traders and Products at the council, Auwalu A. Muhammad, said the call alerted the council to the alleged malpractice within the market.
He said officials were immediately deployed to the scene to investigate the matter, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the closure of the affected shops.
Muhammad said the council was committed to protecting consumers from expired products and goods whose information, condition or quality had been altered in violation of the law.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the council, Dr Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, said the KCPC would not allow individuals or traders to violate consumers’ rights.
He warned that anyone found guilty of such an offence would be prosecuted and face the appropriate punishment.
Dr Ibrahim commended market association leaders for their cooperation with the council in preventing the circulation of substandard and adulterated products in markets.
He said such collaboration would contribute to protecting public health and consumers’ rights.
The executive secretary also thanked the Kano State Government, under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, for its support and for allowing the council to discharge its responsibilities without interference.