Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested officials from the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) involved in diverting palliatives intended for the public to mitigate the consequences of the fuel subsidy removal.
Several suspects, including officials from NASEMA and their associates, were arrested on Tuesday (today) at a popular market in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, where they were selling the items meant for distribution.
Spokesman of the secret police, Peter Afunanya, who disclosed the development to journalists in Abuja, explained that some of the diverted items were recovered from the suspects.
The statement reads, “The Department of State Services (DSS) has received reports from some State Governments relating to diversion or sale of palliatives meant for their citizens.
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“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 (NASEMA) 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.
“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”
GOOD EVENING NIGERIA reports that a few weeks ago, the federal government distributed thousands of bags of rice, a staple food, to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal, particularly on vulnerable citizens.