DSS arrests Nasarawa gov’t officials for hijacking palliatives
Story from Ibraheem Hamza MUHAMMAD
As Nigerians grapple with high cost of living arising from the fuel subsidy removal in May 2023, the items doled out by the Federal Government to cushion the effect of rising fuel price and other food stuffs were reportedly stolen in many states of the federation, thereby worsening the plight of vulnerable Nigerians.
The Department of State Services, (DSS) has confirmed that many of the goods given out by the government as palliatives to suffering Nigerians have already been hijacked by top-ranking government officials in Nasarawa State.
READ ALSO: Nasarawa paltry palliatives and the need for accountability, by Musa Sakinat Abubakar
Spokesman for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said in a statement on Tuesday that some unnamed officials of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) and their accomplices, who were trading in palliatives had since been apprehended and handed over to appropriate authorities for prosecution.
The statement indicated that the NASEMA officials and their accomplices were caught in the act at the Lafia Modern Market in Nasarawa State capital were they were reselling the palliatives to unsuspecting members of the public for their pecuniary interest.
The operation by the DSS followed complaints by some state governments that the palliatives released by the federal government for their respective states had been diverted.
Following the complaints, the DSS said it undertook an investigation and was able to arrest some of the perpetrators of the act and retrieved the stolen items.
“While this operation is ongoing in other states, the DSS has intercepted a suspected criminal syndicate in Nasarawa State responsible for the diversion and sale of the palliatives meant for the vulnerable in the place.
“Among those suspects are officials of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) and their accomplices in the markets, notably Lafia Modern Market, where the items were being resold.
“The suspects have, however, been handed over for appropriate disciplinary measures,” Afunanya said.
“The Service, therefore, calls on members of the public who may have information relating to this emerging trend to report same to the relevant security agencies for necessary action,” Afunanya added.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va74ZvU2v1IqKByXoX3d
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
