FG palliative: Nasarawa Govt Officials arrested for selling food items

By David Okpashi

Some officials of the Nasarawa State government have been arrested by the operatives of the Department of State Services ( DSS) for allegedly selling the Federal government palliative meant to cushion the effect of the petroleum motor Spirit removal by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Our Correspondent gathered that the officials of the government from the state Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) and their accomplices were apprehended while selling the FG food items at one of the market (modern market) in Lafia, the state Capital.

It was further learnt that the NASEMA officials were arrested alongside their accomplices by the DSS following reports from state governments that some individuals were selling the FG palliatives meant to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.

Investigation conducted in the state revealed that the spokesperson of the DSS, Peter Afunanya had in a statement noted that the NASEMA officials and their accomplices were arrested in the markets, including Modern Market in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, where the items were being resold.

According to the statement: “The Department of State Services (DSS) 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 (NASEMA) and their accomplices in the markets, notably Modern Market Lafia, where the items were being resold.”

He, however, said the arrested suspects have been handed over for appropriate disciplinary measures and urged Nigerians, with information relating to this emerging trend to report to security agencies for necessary action.

Reacting to the alleged criminal act, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sule on public Affairs, Peter Ahemba in a statement made available to Journalists in Lafia Wednesday quoted Governor Abdullahi Sule as directing the law enforcement Agencies to deal with those involved according to the Law.

“The Nasarawa State Government has received with sense of satisfaction, the progress by the Department of State Services (DSS) in the arrest of some officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), alleged to be part of a nationwide syndicate which specializes in diverting relief materials donated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for distribution to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and victims of flood in the State”.

According to the statement, “His Excellency Engr Abdullahi A. Sule has always championed the fear of God Almighty in the way officials conduct affairs of government under their trust.

” Governor has noted with disappointment the unfortunate incident where the Federal and State Governments are working relentlessly to alleviate the hardship being faced by the victims, some government officials will shamelessly collude with criminal elements and get involved in the diversion and sales of the materials”, the statement added.

The statement which declared that the administration of gov. Abdullahi A. Sule has remained consistent since assumption of office in the area of prudent and transparent management of State’s meager resources, added that governor will not condone any act of indiscipline and criminality from any official of the Government.

“The governor and the entire state will continue to support the DSS in casting it’s net widely and getting to the root of the activities of this nefarious syndicate, so that those found wanting are made to face the full wrath of the law, no matter how highly placed” the statement declared..

Meanwhile, the Director General of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency, Zachary Allumaga in a telephone call distance himself from the the alleged criminal act involving some staff of his agency.

Allumaga said already the state governor, Abdullahi Sule has ordered the prosecution of those involved in the diversion and sale of the parliative meant to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal in the state.