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Detained Kano rice workers – Ministry of labor denounces police intervention
Nasiru Yusuf
The Federal Ministry of Labor and Productivity has criticized the Nigerian police for rescuing hundreds of workers detained in a Kano rice mill.
Kano Focus reports that the police had rescued the workers after they had been detained in the Popular Farms rice mill at Challawa, Kano for about three months.
However, labor officer in the Kano office of the ministry, Abdullahi Ali told Kano Focus that the issue was not a police matter and that the company had treated the workers fairly.
Police rescue over 300 workers detained for 3 months in rice mill
“We visited the organization, we were conducted round, we interviewed workers and they confirmed to us that they were held in the company willingly.
“As far as we saw with our own eyes, the workers were treated well by the management.
“They were given feeding allowance, and even allowed to periodically visit their homes.” Mr Ali said.
The labor officer added that if the workers had any complaints they should report to the ministry of labor rather than the Nigerian Police.
“In the first place, an employment issue is not a police case.
“If there is any case of forced, compulsory or slave labor, the ministry of labor’s attention should have been drawn, and every agency has its own role to play.
Abdullahi Ali: Labor Officer
“As far as industrial issues are concerned, we have sole prerogative. “We are on exclusive legislative list of the federal government so when you have industrial issues you address it appropriately and rightly to the labor office and we can assign a labor officer to go and address it.
“We did not received such complaint; we only heard of it over the radio,” Mr Ali said.
The Kano Command of the Nigeria Police is yet to respond to this statement.
The labour officer also denied accusations by the National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) that he has connived with the company’s management to sabotage the inauguration of the union’s branch.
Union alleges “Compromise”
Kano state secretary of the NUFBTE, Usman Muhammad told Kano Focus that Mr Aliyu had been “compromised” by the company.
“There was a time we visited the factory along with the labour officer, the national president of the National union of food, beverages, and tobacco employees, his deputy, general secretary, national treasurer and state leadership but the admin manager denied us entry.
“The labour officer’s approach to the matter showed that he has been compromised.
“Instead of taking decisive action, I overheard him pleading to the admin manager to allow us to enter.
“If he has done his work, the factory will not dare to maltreat workers,” Mr Muhammad said.
He said the union will prepare and send a comprehensive report on the incident to the Kano state branch of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) for prompt intervention.
Influential people connive with foreigners
Meanwhile, Kano state chairman of the NLC, Kabiru Ado Minjibir has condemned the action of the company pending the receipt of the report from the NUFBTE.
Mr Minjibir lamented that some Nigerians connive with foreigners to maltreat indigenous workers.
“Some influential people in Kano have contributed in degrading indigenous workers in the sight of expatriates.
“The last time labour leaders visited the said factory to inaugurate union leaders, they met resistance from management of the factory who at the end invited police to arrest the labour leaders.
“But if the matter involved indigenous factories, they don’t get such privileges.
“I don’t know why our leaders support foreigners to enslave our people in their factories.” Mr Minjibir said.
Detained workers not our staff
In its defense, Popular Farm Rice Mill said the labourers are not its employees and it is therefore not responsible for their welfare.
The administrative manager of the company, Kareem Saka told Kano Focus that the labourers are sourced from outside contractors.
“They are not our staff; we contracted loading and offloading contractors who hired those labourers.
“They had an agreement which they are paying them on daily basis. “And out of our own magnanimity we didn’t stop there, we still provided them with allowances, detergents, medical service and so on and so forth.” Mr. Saka said.
He added that the company provided a sleeping place for the workers in its farmland because they live far away from their homes.
Mr Saka however denied any knowledge that the workers were not allowed to go out at all.
“Our agreement is only with the contractors and not with their staff. “They are the ones who discussed with their labourers and agreed on their terms of employment,” he said.
Kano Focus had made several attempts to get the Kano state Ministry of Commerce and Industry to respond to the matter.
However, after several phone calls and text messages to the Ministry’s spokesperson, the commissioner Mahmoud Muhammad is yet to respond.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Police Command has arrested five suspected kidnappers and cattle rustlers in intelligence-led operations carried out in Kiru and Tsanyawa Local Government Areas of the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the arrests, which took place on December 14, 2025, were carried out by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad and other tactical units, following credible intelligence reports.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, four of the suspects were arrested at Rahma Round in Kiru Local Government Area. One of them, Shafiu Ibrahim, 25, of Auchanawa Village, Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State, reportedly confessed to being a member of a kidnapping gang and to involvement in several cattle rustling activities. A TVS motorcycle was recovered from him during the operation.
The police said the remaining three suspects arrested alongside Shafiu are currently under investigation for various other criminal offences.
In a related operation, a joint team of operatives from the Dragon Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Squad and Tsanyawa Police Division arrested another suspect, Bishir Umar, 24, of Karaduwa Local Government Area in Katsina State. He was apprehended at Mahuta Village in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
Police investigations revealed that Bishir Umar confessed that he and his accomplices had entered Kano State on two motorcycles with a rifle, allegedly to carry out criminal activities. He was arrested while conducting surveillance, while his accomplices reportedly escaped with the motorcycles and the firearm.
The Command disclosed that all the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended members of the public for their cooperation and support, noting that timely information has continued to aid police operations across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines: 08032419754, 08123821575, and 09029292926.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State was thrown into mourning as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, alongside thousands of sympathisers, paid final respects to two serving members of the Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Aminu Sa’ad Ungogo and Alhaji Sarki Aliyu Daneji, who were laid to rest in separate burial rites.
A statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said the solemn ceremonies drew large crowds of mourners from across the state, reflecting the deep impact of the lawmakers’ service and leadership.
Alhaji Aminu Sa’ad Ungogo, who represented Ungogo Constituency, was buried on Wednesday in his hometown of Ungogo Local Government Area amid emotional scenes from family members, constituents, colleagues and residents. The late lawmaker died while serving his second term in the House of Assembly and was, until his death, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation.
Funeral Prayer of Hon. Aminu Sa’ad Ungoggo
Before joining the legislature, Ungogo was a seasoned administrator who served Kano State in various capacities, including as Chief Personnel Officer (CPO), Director of Personnel Management (DPM) and Sole Administrator.
Similarly, Alhaji Sarki Aliyu Daneji, who represented Kano Municipal Constituency, was laid to rest on Thursday at the Dandolo Cemetery, following funeral prayers at the Emir’s Palace Mosque in Kano. He was serving his first term in the Assembly and chaired the House Committee on Hajj Operations.
Before venturing into politics, Daneji retired from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as State Commandant in Katsina State.
Governor Yusuf attended the funeral rites alongside the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo; the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Jibrin Ismail Falgore, and his deputy, Alhaji Muhammad Bello Butubutu, as well as other top government officials.
The burial attracted tens of thousands of mourners, including principal officers of the Kano State House of Assembly, members of the NNPP National Assembly Caucus, serving and former lawmakers, political office holders, party leaders, traditional rulers and residents from across the state.
Governor Yusuf described the late lawmakers as dedicated and selfless representatives who served their constituencies and Kano State with commitment and integrity. He extended heartfelt condolences to their families, the leadership of the Kano State House of Assembly and the people of Kano State, particularly those of Ungogo and Kano Municipal constituencies.
The governor prayed that Almighty Allah forgives their shortcomings and grants them Aljannatul Firdaus.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has approved the establishment of a Technical Committee to tackle the persistent issue of poor employment representation of Kano State indigenes in federal government agencies, as well as private and voluntary institutions operating within the state.
KANO FOCUS the committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim, at his office in Kano. Speaking at the inauguration, the SSG expressed deep concern over what he described as the continued marginalisation of Kano indigenes in employment opportunities, despite Kano being the most populous state in the country.
He noted that Kano has not received its fair share of jobs, even in federal and private institutions located within the state, stressing that the high rate of unemployment among youths in Kano—believed to be higher than in any other state—demands urgent and decisive government intervention.
“This is the right time to reclaim what truly belongs to us,” Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim declared, adding that the present moment offers an opportunity for meaningful and sustainable action.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Press Secretary in the Office of the SSG, Musa Tanko Muhammad, explained that the committee was carefully constituted with experienced individuals drawn from various sectors of public service.
He announced Dr. Danyaro Ali Yakasai, Special Adviser to the Governor on Policy and Social Development, as Chairman of the committee, with Dr. Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, Special Adviser on Human Resource, serving as Co-Chairman.
Other members of the committee include Salisu Mustapha, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Civil Service; Ibrahim Muhammad Kabara, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties; Hon. Ali Yahuza Gano, Special Adviser on Metropolitan Affairs; Alhaji Salisu A. Kabo, Director General, Youth Empowerment; and Hon. Ado Muhammad Wudil, Executive Secretary, Guidance and Counselling Board. The committee’s activities will be coordinated by Salisu Musa Aliyu, Principal Assistant Secretary in the REPA Directorate of the SSG’s Office.
The committee is mandated to review employment practices in federal, private, and voluntary institutions operating in Kano State, determine the level of employment of Kano indigenes, engage relevant organisations on recruitment guidelines, and collaborate with the Federal Character Commission to ensure fairness and compliance with existing regulations. Its ultimate objective is to develop practical and lasting solutions that will improve employment opportunities for Kano State indigenes.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Dr. Danyaro Ali Yakasai, expressed gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the confidence reposed in the team. He assured that members would work diligently to justify the trust and appealed to the people of Kano State for prayers and cooperation.
The committee is expected to submit its report within four weeks.
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