By Olawale Lamina
Operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, have succeeded in recovering about 2,000 bags of rice allegedly diverted from the 20 trucks donated to Katsina State government by the federal government.
Recall that, as part of efforts to address high cost of living in the country, occasioned by inflation of prices of commodity items, the federal government donated 20 trucks of rice each to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. But a report by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, stated that about 2,000 bags of the donated rice were diverted by persons alleged to be government officials in Katsina State.
Operatives of DSS in Kastina State, who confirmed the negative development to NAN on Thursday, however, declined further comments on the issue and preferred to be anonymous.
According to investigation conducted, following a tip off by concerned individuals, 25kg bags of rice were deposited in a store at the Central Market, Katsina, which made the DSS to swing into action.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman, Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, in the state, Mr. Abdulrahman Abdullahi, decried the situation. He expressed displeasure about the fact that, after a well thought out plan by the government to assuage the sufferings of the people, some unpatriotic persons diverted the federal government donated rice.
He vowed to follow the matter to a reasonable conclusion, urging the government to investigate the matter, unmask those responsible and ensure anyone found guilty should be prosecuted.
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