Kano Anti Corruption Agency Bursts Warehouse Hoarding Palliatives

By Ayodele Oni

For hoarding goods meant for distribution to people, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Agency has sealed a warehouse where palliatives rice worth more than N1 billion was being hoarded.

The facility, which is located on Ring Road in Nasarawa Local Government Area, was sealed on Tuesday during an operation led by the Executive Chairman of the agency, Muhuyi Rimin-Gado.

The bags carrying the rice inscribed with President Bola Tinubu’s picture with and written:”Ramadan Kareem” believed to be meant for distribution as palliatives during last year’s Ramadan fast.

Rimin-Gado explained after the operation that the warehouse was stockpiled with 28 trucks of the rice allegedly diverted by some individuals found re-bagging the commodity.

According to him, the rice was re-bagged into different brands meant to be diverted and sold in different markets in the state.

He said one person had been arrested in connection with the matter, while investigation would commence to fish out those behind the scam.

The executive chairman pointed out that diversion of the commodity is an illegal and corrupt act which would not be condoned by the anti-graft agency.

“In a nutshell, this is a clear form of corruption because this is a property meant for the public. Considering the hardship we have today, somebody has the liver to come and start rebagging it.

“We recovered a re bagging machine for repacking and re bagging rice meant for the public.

“So, we are here based on investigation activities. We are armed with our search warrant, arrest warrant and court order.

“Thorough investigation will continue to uncover those behind it. For now, we have arrested one and we will make sure we uncover those behind it and forestall these kinds of activities.”