The Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission has uncovered a warehouse suspected of being used to repackage rice palliatives meant for distribution to vulnerable members of the society.
This discovery was made during an operation led by the Commission’s chairman, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji, at a warehouse located along the Hotoro Western Bye-pass in Kano.
Speaking to reporters after the operation, Barrister Magaji revealed that around 28 trucks of rice palliatives, which had been provided by the Federal Government to alleviate poverty, were allegedly diverted to the warehouse. The palliatives, instead of being distributed to the intended recipients, were being repackaged with the intent to sell them in the open market for personal gain.
“This is a grave case of mismanagement and the deliberate diversion of public goods meant for the poor and vulnerable. It is both unethical and inhumane to exploit such a situation for financial gain when these items were intended to provide relief for the suffering masses,” Magaji remarked, expressing his concern about the corruption behind the act.
In connection with the discovery, one individual has been arrested, and investigations are currently underway to uncover all parties involved in the illicit activity. The commission has vowed to continue its probe until all those responsible for this act of corruption are identified and brought to justice.
We will not tolerate such criminal behavior. The commission is fully committed to holding all those responsible accountable. Furthermore, we are working hard to recover the diverted rice palliatives and ensure that they reach the vulnerable individuals they were meant to help,” Magaji emphasized.
This revelation has raised further concerns about the mismanagement of humanitarian aid, as it underscores the need for stricter monitoring and accountability in the distribution of relief materials. The Commission’s efforts to ensure that the palliatives are returned and properly distributed reflect its determination to address corruption and uphold the welfare of Kano State’s most vulnerable residents.