The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Agency (PCAC) on Tuesday uncovered a warehouse harboring palliative rice worth over N1 billion, allegedly diverted from its intended distribution for the public.
The warehouse, located along Ring Road in Nasarawa Local Government Area, was raided by the agency in an operation led by its chairman, Muhuyi Rimin-Gado.
According to Rimin-Gado, the warehouse was found to contain 28 trucks of rice, which had been diverted for illegal re-bagging, a clear violation of the public trust.
The bags of rice, emblazoned with an image of President Bola Tinubu and the inscription “Ramadan Kareem,” were found being re-packaged with the intent to resell them illegally, undermining the distribution efforts for those facing economic hardship.
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“This is a blatant act of corruption, as the rice was meant for the public, particularly those struggling in these tough times,” Rimin-Gado said, expressing his outrage over the illegal act.
Rimin-Gado emphasized that the agency had acted on intelligence gathered through investigative efforts and had secured a search warrant, arrest warrants, and a court order to conduct the operation.
So far, one individual has been arrested in connection with the diversion. However, the agency has vowed to leave no stone unturned in identifying the masterminds behind this scheme and bringing them to justice.
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“This is just the beginning,” Rimin-Gado stated.
The discovery has raised further concerns about the ongoing struggles citizens face in the wake of the palliative distributions, which are intended to alleviate suffering during periods of economic difficulty.
The Kano State Anti-Corruption Agency has vowed to continue its fight against corruption and ensure that aid reaches those who truly need it.
