The Katsina State Government has launched a manhunt for hoarders of foodstuff and other essential consumables in order to tackle food scarcity in the state.

This followed the recent signing of the Food Security (Promotion) Order by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda at the Government House.

The Order, which defines grains like rice, millet, maize, sorghum, cowpeas, and groundnuts as protected commodities, outlined hoarding as a punishable offence in the state.

A copy of the Order which was made available on Sunday by the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Salisu-Zango, defines arrest, prosecution and confiscation as punishments for the violators.

With effect from February 16, 2024, the executive order proscribed illegal hoarding of staple food and essential commodities in the state.

“The food referred to in this Order includes all grains such as rice, millet, maize, sorghum, cowpeas, groundnut and other staple food commodity, the shortage of which may at any given time cause undue hardship to the people of any part of the state.

“The contravention of this Order by any person shall render: The person and/or corporate entity in such contravention is liable for prosecution under section 114 of the Penal Code Law of the state,” it read.

It further states that: “The place used for the hoarding of the commodity shall by warrant issued by the Court be liable to be broken into and the commodity be sold to the public at a controlled price.

“The proceeds of such sale shall be subject of determination in accordance with the prevailing Laws on proceeds of crimes. There is hereby established a Task Force for the enforcement of the provision of this Order as may be determine by the Governor,” it added. (THISDAY)

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