GOMBE, Nigeria – The Gombe State Police in northeastern Nigeria have apprehended two individuals accused of selling adulterated rice to the public.
The suspects, identified as Bashir Haruna, 35, from Dubai quarters, Gombe, and Mohammed Isah, 54, from Jibulu quarters, Kumo, Akko LGA of Gombe State, were caught in the act of mixing chaff with rice, repackaging, and selling the mixture as pure rice at market prices.
According to the police statement on Thursday, February 29, 2024, arrests were made on five days earlier, following a tip-off received by the police.
Acting on this intelligence, officers from the Akko Division intercepted the suspects in possession of 57 bags of the adulterated rice.
The operation, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sherif Sa’ad, marks a significant effort by the local police to combat the rising trend of food adulteration in the region.
During interrogation, Haruna and Isah confessed to routinely engaging in this illegal practice, revealing a calculated attempt to exploit consumers amid rising food prices. Nigeria, like many West African countries, is currently grappling with high inflation rates, particularly affecting food items.
The suspects have been charged to court.
The State Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Usman, has issued a public advisory, urging citizens to exercise caution and vigilance when purchasing grains in sacks.
The Gombe State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the market from criminal elements, ensuring the integrity of food supplies in the state.
Rice, a staple food in Nigerian households, has become increasingly unaffordable for many due to these economic pressures.
