The Kano State Police Command has apprehended a 30-year-old businessman, Yusuf Abdullahi, over alleged involvement in the diversion of N4,111,800 worth of noodles, a palliative donated by the Coalition Against COVID-19, CACOVID.
Parading the suspect, along with over 200 other criminals at the command’s headquarters in Bompai on Wednesday, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Habu Sani, said the suspect had allegedly diverted 1,950 cartons of noodles meant for distribution in Benue State.
The CP said: “The noodles that were recovered from the suspect have it boldly written on it ‘not for sale’.
“The suspect was arrested by our men after we received information about his involvement in the illegal activity,”
According to him, the cartons recovered from the trader who sells foodstuff at Singer Market was part of the 3,850 cartons allegedly diverted and sold.
Mr Habu further said, “one thousand nine hundred fifty eight of Dangote branded noodles meant for Benue State palliatives valued four million, one hundred and eleven thousand eight hundred were recovered out of 3, 850 cartons diverted and sold.”
Speaking to journalists, Mr Abbdullahi admitted that the noodles were recovered from him.
He, however, stated that he got the noodles from some of the beneficiaries who exchanged the noodles with other food items.
He said: “I knew that the noodles were meant for distribution as palliatives. What happened was that some people after receiving the noodles as palliatives brought it to me to get them exchanged for other food items.”
“They exchanged the noodles for rice, Semovita and spaghetti. That was what transpired before someone who bought the noodles from me now went and reported to the police, leading to my arrest,” Mr Abdullahi stated.
