By Usman Usman Garba
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has come under public attention following a dramatic confrontation between its enforcement officials and soldiers allegedly attached to Fortune Rice Mills in Sharada, Kano State, during an environmental compliance operation over alleged pollution and public health violations.
The incident reportedly followed petitions submitted by residents of Federal Housing Estate Sharada, Ja’en, and neighbouring communities, who accused Fortune Rice Mills, Al-Wabil Rice Mill, and Salasar Enterprises Co. Ltd. of causing persistent environmental pollution, respiratory illnesses, and other health hazards through their industrial activities.
Acting on the complaints, NESREA officials were deployed to the area to conduct inspection and enforcement operations aimed at ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
However, tension reportedly escalated when soldiers allegedly guarding Fortune Rice Mills resisted the agency’s officials while they attempted to carry out their lawful duties.
Eyewitnesses said the confrontation created panic within the area as residents watched security personnel and environmental enforcement officers engage in a heated standoff.
The situation reportedly prompted the intervention of the Kano State Commissioner of Police, who deployed police officers to restore calm and ensure the operation was successfully completed.
Despite the resistance, NESREA officials, with support from the police and cooperation from some staff members of the company, eventually carried out the operation and sealed the facility over alleged environmental violations.
Residents of the affected communities also raised concerns over alleged links between the owner of Fortune Rice Mills, Alhaji Dalha, and the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal.
According to the residents, there were claims within the community that the businessman intended to reach out to the minister in an attempt to influence the Director-General of NESREA to reopen the company despite the ongoing environmental concerns and enforcement actions.
The residents appealed directly to the Minister of Environment to remain neutral and allow due process to prevail.
They stated that copies of their complaints and petitions would also be forwarded to the minister to draw attention to the environmental pollution, health risks, and hardships allegedly caused by the activities of the companies operating in the area.
They further urged the minister not to interfere in the enforcement process if he truly stands in the interest of environmental justice and public welfare.
Residents also expressed concern over the alleged deployment of military personnel to guard a privately owned rice mill accused of environmental pollution.
According to them, it was disturbing that security personnel meant to protect citizens were allegedly being used to shield activities believed to be harmful to public health and the environment.
They called on Nigerian military authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the presence of soldiers at the facility and determine whether due process was followed in deploying security personnel to the company.
Community members, however, commended the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NESREA, Professor Innocent Bariate Barikor, for responding promptly to their complaints and taking decisive action to address the environmental challenges affecting the area.
Teachers at Ja’en Primary School and healthcare workers at Ja’en Primary Health Care Centre also welcomed the intervention, stating that emissions and pollution from the factories had negatively affected learning activities and posed serious health risks to staff, pupils, and patients.
Residents further called on relevant authorities to sustain monitoring and enforcement efforts to ensure that industries operating within residential areas comply fully with environmental safety standards in order to safeguard public health and protect the environment.
