Kano State Government has vowed to prosecute owners of unwholesome sesame confiscated at the Dawanau International Grain Market to save the health of the population of the state.

About 82 tons of adulterated grains worth N180 million brought for export to China were intercepted by the market task force in collaboration with the Federal Product Inspection Service in the market.

Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Shehu Wada Sagagi, issued the threat while inspecting the substandard sesame on Wednesday, saying the government will no longer tolerate unwholesome practices in the market.

Sagagi, who led the state consumer protection team and other enforcement agencies to the market, hinted that an investigation to unravel those behind the adulterated grains has been launched, adding that culprits will not go unpunished.

The Commissioner disclosed that the government is inclined to send strong warnings to traders and market associations to check the bad heads among them, noted he would not allowed any selfish individuals to tarnish the corporate business and image of the state.

“We are here to send a strong warning to those found in the habit of unwholesome practice in the market to decide before the hands of the law caught off with them. This is an international grain market, and the government will not allow any selfish individual to spoil the image and image of Kano,” Sagagi said.

“We had about the adulterated grains seized. The government has commenced an investigation and would not hesitate to prosecute anybody found wanting, no matter his status in society. We would not allow any product being exported from Kano to be tagged unwholesome.”

Earlier, the Zonal commander of North West Federal Product Inspection Service, Mr Obi Anthony, explained how the grains were confiscated after the service rejected the product for export.

Anthony revealed that the products were found bagged with low-quality brown sesame mixed with dust and a small quantity of white commodities in deception to convince unsuspected foreign partners.

The zonal commander, who advised foreign business partners to always contact relevant agencies for quality and certified commodities, assured the readiness of the service to sanitize the Dawano market from unwholesome grain.

Chairman, Dawanau Market Association, Muntaka Isa, pledged the commitment of the association to work with the Kano State Government to rid the market of adulterated grains.