On Tuesday, officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) apprehended some officials of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency who were diverting palliatives meant for the citizens to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
Peter Afunanya, spokesman of the secret police, who disclosed the development to newsmen in a statement in Abuja, explained that some of the diverted items were recovered from the suspects.
He stated that some of the suspects who were arrested at a popular market in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, where the items were being resold, included officials of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) and their accomplices.
He enjoined members of the public who may have information relating to the emerging trend to report it to the relevant security agencies for necessary action, saying the culprits would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
According to the statement, “The Department of State Services (DSS) has received reports from some state governments relating to diversion or sale of palliatives meant for their citizens.
“Consequently, the Service undertook investigations in that regard and has recovered some of the items as well as apprehended the suspects.
While their operation was still underway in other states, he said that the service had already apprehended a suspected criminal ring in Nasarawa State responsible for the diversion and sale of palliatives meant for the vulnerable in the area.
Chronicle NG reports that the federal government shared a few weeks ago thousands of bags of rice, a staple food, across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in order to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, particularly on vulnerable citizens.
