Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has ordered the prosecution of state government officials linked with the diversion of palliatives meant for the internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
The governor who commended the Department of the State Services (DSS) for arresting the criminal syndicate responsible for the diversion and sale of the items, vowed that the affected officials would be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
The DSS on Tuesday arrested some Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) officials and their accomplices for allegedly diverting palliatives meant for vulnerable citizens.
The suspects were accused of selling the palliatives in the modern market in Lafia among others.
The DSS through its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, said it recovered some of the items after an investigation into the matter.
“The Department of State Services 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 this operation is ongoing in other states, the Service has, for instance, 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 and their accomplices in the markets, notably Modern Market Lafia, where the items were being resold.
The suspects have, however, been handed over for appropriate disciplinary measures,” he said.
The items recovered by the operatives include 140 bags of guinea corn of 20kg each and 150 bags of rice of 20kg each.
The items were said to have been sold to an unscrupulous businessman at the Lafia Modern Market at the cost of N1million.
However, Governor Sule through his senior special assistant on public affairs, Mr Peter Ahemba said he has reached out to relevant security agencies to further investigate the activities of the nefarious syndicate and ensure that those involved are made to face the full wrath of the law.
“The administration of His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule has remained consistent since assumption of office on May 29th, 2019 in the prudent and transparent management of State’s meager resources, just as accountability in governance has been the watchword of the A.A Sule administration and so, will not condone any act of indiscipline and criminality from any official of the Government.
“The Nasarawa State Government is ready to support the DSS and the Judiciary in ensuring that those among our citizens in Nasarawa State who might be found wanting at the end of investigation are punished accordingly, to serve as deterrent to other criminal minded public officials,” he said.
