By Desmond Mgboh, Kano
A major crisis is unfolding in Kano State’s metropolis after a scam robbed hundreds of residents of millions of naira. The fraud, exposed on Friday, continues to stir unrest, hitting low-income earners like women, housewives, widows, local cooperatives, and petty traders hard.
Sunday Sun learned that victims had paid a charity called Food Access, located on Jaba/Panisau Road, for discounted food items to be collected five days later. In recent weeks, the scammers—posing as helpers for the poor in tough times—delivered food to early customers, quickly gaining trust.
However, the scheme collapsed on Friday when the promoters vanished with this week’s deposits, leaving victims devastated. Victoria Onikpache, a mother of two and housewife, told Sunday Sun she paid N3.6 million, expecting food items on Friday, only to find the office locked.
Reverend Adeolu Samuel Adeyemo, former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kano State, confirmed the scam. He said many church members were affected and urged security agencies to track the fraudsters.
Police have now secured the business premises as more victims arrive, some considering drastic action. The Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, has not yet commented on the situation.