Hajiya A’isha Ibrahim, a restauranteur at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, on Tuesday, fell victim to a bogus contract to supply food for a three-day program across three local government areas of Bauchi State.
Her video has since gone viral on social media platforms drawing the attention of many, especially on Facebook and X which led to an intervention from the Bauchi State government to compensate her.
The Deceptive Contract
Traumatised Aisha told WikkiTimes at her restaurant at ATBUTH that she was approached by an individual contracting her to supply food for 9,600 people in Bauchi, Alkaleri, and Kirfi local government areas.
Narrating her ordeal, although she did not disclose his identity, Aisah said he assured her that the contract agreement would be signed soon and that she would not be put at risk.
“He said that the food would be provided to three local governments; Bauchi, Alkaleri, and Kirfi. He insisted I should continue with the contract because the agreement had not been signed but would be issued to me when it was signed,” Aisha recounted.
Believing in his assurances and having a history of fulfilling similar contracts for international NGOs that pay upon completion, Aisha proceeded with the order. She and her vendors worked tirelessly through the night to prepare the food.
The Disappearance
On Tuesday, June 25, as the food was being prepared, Aisha attempted to contact the man to get the details of the recipients. He claimed to be waiting for directives.
“After 1 pm, when I did not hear from him, I went to his office. He told me to wait as he was waiting for directives. After 3 pm, I started calling him several times, but he was not picking up. When we went to his office with my husband around 5 pm, we were told he was away. He has refused to pick up my calls since then,” Aisha explained.
The Online Plea
Desperate and unable to reach the man, Aisha took to social media to solicit for help. Her video plea caught the attention of the state government, prompting a swift response from the authorities.
“The Commissioner in the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs And Disaster Management (Hajiya Hajara Yakubu Wanka) called me this morning (Wednesday, June 26) and said the Governor, upon seeing my video online, directed her to compensate me. I thank Governor Bala Mohammed for his prompt action to save me,” Aisha said with gratitude.
Government Intervention
In response to Aisha’s plea, the Bauchi State Government has taken decisive action. The government has not only compensated Aisha for the N7.5 million procurement cost but also taken possession of the food and distributed it to those in need.
“Now the state government has already taken the food and distributed it to the needy,” Aisha confirmed.
Reacting to the incident, Shuaibu Alhaji Muhammad, a permanent secretary in the ministry explained that the original contract sum was N13 million, but the state government compensated the actual procurement cost to Aisha. He thanked the governor for the gesture and noted that the commissioner had notified him that morning to rescue the woman.
A Cautionary Note
Despite her ordeal, Aisha has chosen not to reveal the identity of the man who deceived her, though she has provided details to security agents. She also warned the public about fraudulent bank accounts soliciting support in her name.
“Let me warn those presenting bank accounts soliciting support in my name to desist because I learned that some accounts do not originate from me. Now the Government will compensate me,” Aisha cautioned.
