The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Wednesday carried out a major enforcement operation in parts of Kano State, targeting warehouses and retailers allegedly involved in deceptive sales of under-measured fabric materials to unsuspecting consumers.

The operation, which took place in the Sharada Industrial Area and other commercial locations, focused on companies such as LGR Products, UME Products, Nana Textile Products, Mama Africa Products, and UE Products, among others.

Speaking during the exercise, the Director of Surveillance and Investigations at the FCCPC, Boladale Adeyanka, said the operation followed verified intelligence and weeks of discreet market surveillance that exposed sharp practices by some fabric retailers.

She stated that, “The enforcement exercise carried out today at this target location is in response to verified intelligence. This is just one of the many targeted businesses or warehouses involved in this alleged infraction.”

According to her, the Commission discovered that some traders were selling fabric materials significantly below the yardage printed on their labels.

“You will recall that we took measurements right before us—fabrics labelled 10 yards were found to be only 9 yards, while those labelled 5 yards were as short as 4 and a half,” she explained.

Adeyanka noted that such conduct violates multiple provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which prohibit false, misleading, or deceptive representations concerning product quantity or quality.

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“Under Section 123 of the FCCPA, no retailer or trader shall make any false or misleading representation about the quantity or price of goods supplied.

“Similarly, Section 125 prohibits any supplier or distributor from engaging in conduct that implies a false or misleading representation to a consumer,” she stated.

The Commission, she said, was particularly concerned that such practices not only exploit consumers but also distort fair competition in the marketplace.

“These acts undermine honest traders and businesses that comply with lawful standards. They can drive legitimate retailers out of the market, thereby reducing consumer choice and entrenching anti-competitive behaviour.”

Adeyanka further disclosed that, following reasonable suspicion and verification of the infractions, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, authorised the sealing of several shops under Sections 27 and 28 of the Act to allow for further investigation. Samples of the implicated materials were also seized for measurement and quality verification.

She reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to protect Nigerian consumers from exploitative and fraudulent practices, stressing that the operation underscores the FCCPC’s statutory responsibility to promote fairness and integrity in trade.

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“This enforcement operation demonstrates our commitment to ensuring a fair marketplace and safeguarding consumer welfare—both economic and social,” she said. “It also reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting consumers’ rights in Nigeria.”

The FCCPC urged consumers to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of deceptive trade practices through its official complaint channels.

“We encourage consumers to insist on their rights and to report any unscrupulous practices. The Commission will continue to deploy lawful enforcement measures to deter exploitative and obnoxious business conduct across the nation,” Adeyanka concluded.