Nigeria police rescue 300 workers ‘locked in rice factory’ in Kano state

The Kano State Police Command has rescued over 300 labourers who were forced to spend three months in a factory called ‘popular farm rice’, in Challawa industrial area, and also arrested four management staff of the establishment.

Penpushing reports that the police stormed the factory on Monday after obtaining a court injunction, arresting four managers and effected release of the detained workers, who claimed they were threatened with their jobs if they opted to go home to see their families.

The workers who regained their freedom through the efforts of the police explained that, the management of the factory denied them access outside the premises of the factory due to the fear of contracting coronavirus which may spread into the factory.

Penpushing further reports that, number of the workers narrated their ordeal with one of them affirming that he has been in the factory since March 23rd without setting his foot outside, while in the same vein, Haruna Salihu, in his own account  said he had been in the factory since March 28 and was denied time to visit his family and parents.

“Our family members are seriously disturbed, as they don’t know the (condition we are in). My wife and my kids used to come to the factory’s gate and I couldn’t go and meet them.We were tricked to stay in the factory for five days, then (it was) extended to seven days, then two weeks and subsequently extended to one month’.

‘We are now detained for over three months. There are about 600 workers in the factory. We are sleeping in a very poor environment. I am appealing to authorities to allow me to go back to my family.”

Penpushing also reports that, another worker while sharing his experiences admitted that he was not forced to stay, but  was threatened with dismissal if he decided to go outside the factory, while  Hashimu Isa,  a truck driver  who brought paddy rice from Kebbi State, narrated how he was kept in the factory for three days without going out.

“I brought paddy rice from Yauri, Kebbi State. I couldn’t go out of the factory, since my entry three days ago. Even if you attempted to go out, the security will not allow you. I couldn’t go out to give my boy money to buy food. Someone sent me N10,000, but I couldn’t go to the bank to withdraw it. I was waiting to (offload) the rice, so that I will leave,” he said.

Penpushing reports that, the Kano State Command Public Relations Officer Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, while speaking said the authorities have arrested four management staff of the factory, adding that investigation is ongoing to verify the allegations against them.

“We have found many workers locked and enslaved in the factory. The commissioner of police, Habu A Sani, has directed for thorough investigation. So far, we have arrested four management staff and investigation has commenced,” Kiyawa said.

Penpushing further reports that, the rice mill manager, who identified himself as Abdulkareem, said he regretted the incident, stating that he was not aware of the workers’ terrible condition.