The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) says it received 3,397 complaints between January and September in Kano.

The ​‌⁠​‍‍⁠⁠‍‌⁠‍‍⁠​‍​‌​commission’s Federal Commissioner in Kano, Ibrahim Zakari-Sarina, stated this on Thursday in Kano while briefing newsmen to commemorate the 2026 Ombuds Day.

He said that the primary function of the commission was to conduct impartial investigations on behalf of complainants who felt aggrieved by the actions or inactions of government establishments and private companies.

Mr Zakari-Sarina said that out of the 3,397 cases, 1,860 cases were resolved, while 1,537 were still pending.

“The commission also had 1, 382 cases from 2025,” he said.

He explained that the commission handled complaints bordering on administrative injustice, corruption, unfair treatment, and wrongful termination of appointments.

He added that others are pension-related matters, land disputes, breach of trust and abuse of office.

He stated, “The commission investigates complaints against ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) at federal, state and local government levels, as well as private companies and financial institutions.”

Mr Zakari-Sarina said that the commission was established on October 16,1975, to protect citizens, particularly the less privileged, by providing a platform for seeking justice free of charge.

“The commission provides impartial investigations on behalf of complainants who feel aggrieved by the actions or inactions of government establishments and other organisations,” he added.

The commissioner noted that most of the complaints were successfully resolved without any charges to the complainants.

He further listed other petitions handled by the commission to include stagnation in service, non-payment of pensions and gratuities, breach of contract agreements, delays in delivering judgments and traffic-related complaints.

He stated that the commission maintained cordial relationships with government MDAs and civil society organisations to facilitate the discharge of its responsibilities.

Mr Zakari-Sarina said that the Kano office operated through five zonal offices located in Bichi, Gaya, Gezawa, Gwarzo and Tudun Wada, covering the state’s 44 local government areas.

He, however, identified a lack of public awareness about the commission’s existence as one of the challenges affecting its operations.

He said the commission would intensify community sensitisation to educate residents about its activities and the free services it provides.

“Despite the numerous achievements recorded by our commission, we cannot progress with some challenges in the discharge of our constitutional duties as the nation’s Ombudsman,” he said.

He described the commission as a watchdog for social justice, adding that the Ombudsman serves as a protector of citizens and a mediator between complainants and respondents.

The commissioner called on members of the public to report their complaints at the commission’s state office along Katsina Road, Kano, or any of its zonal offices. 

(NAN)