DSS operatives arrest Nasarawa Government officials, others for diverting subsidy palliatives

*Nigeria’s Department of State Services reveals among the subsidy palliative diversion suspects are officials of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency and their accomplices in the markets where the items for vulnerable citizens were being resold to others

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed its operatives  Tuesday, September 5, 2023 intercepted a suspected criminal syndicate responsible for the diversion and sale of the palliatives meant for the vulnerable in Nasarawa State of Nigeria.

ConsumerConnect reports  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration recent approved N5billion each and tens of truckloads of rice for each of the states of the Federation for distribution to about 12 million vulnerable consumers in the West African country.

The palliative measure followed the economic hardships millons of Nigerians had suffered after Tinubu announced  the removal of petrol subsidy May 29 this year

Peter Afunanya, Spokesman of DSS, in a statement said: “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 secret Police also hinted that it received reports from some state governments relating to diversion or sale of palliatives meant for their citizens across Nigeria.

Afunanya stated: “Consequently, the Service undertook investigations in that regard and has recovered some of the items as well as apprehended the suspects.”

According to DSS, the suspects have been handed over for appropriate disciplinary measures.

The Spokesman added: “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.”

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