Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, PCACC, has arrested one person in connection with diversion of palliative rice distributed by the Federal Government.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the said rice was branded with President Bola Tinubu’s picture meant for distribution to Nigerians during last year’s Ramadan but was allegedly diverted by some individuals.
Speaking to journalists when he visited the warehouse where the rice was being re-bagged at bypass axis of Nassarawa Local Government Area in Kano on Tuesday, the PCACC chairman, Muhuyi Rimin-Gado, said the diverted rice was 28 trucks, worth over N1 billion.
According to him, the commission acted on intelligence report and swung into action where it discovered that those behind the diversion of the rice were re-bagging it for sale in the markets.
He said one person had been arrested in connection with the alleged diversion, adding that investigation would commence soon.
“We carried out investigation that some people are sabotaging government initiative of palliative and are rebagging the rice meant for distribution during Ramadan.
“If you look at the bag of rice, you can see the picture of Mr. President and Ramadan Kareem. And you can see that it was written there “not for sell”.
“This is what we have been battling with whenever there is an initiative of government where some people take advantage to divert it.
“In a nutshell, this is clear form of corruption because this is a property meant for the public. Considering the hardship we have today, somebody has the liver to come and start rebagging it.
“We recovered a rebagging machine for repacking and rebagging rice meant for public.
“So, we are here for investigation activities. We are armed with our search warrant, arrest warrant and court order.
“Thorough investigation will continue to uncover those behind it. For now, we have arrested one and we will make sure we uncover those behind it and forestall this kind of activities.
“This is a palliative meant for poor Nigerians from Mr President during last Ramadan period but some unscrupulous elements have diverted it for their selfishness.
“The rice is about 28 trucks, that is 16,800 bags worth about N1.2 billion. We have arrested one person so far and I believe more would be arrested.
“I will report this matter to His Excellency the Governor of Kano state and i believe he too will take action against this dastardly act,” he said.
