Nasarawa Palliative Diversion: DSS Arrests State Officials For Alleged Theft

THE Department of State Services (DSS) has announced the arrest of a Nasarawa crime syndicate on Tuesday.

The DSS, in a statement released through its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, explained that the syndicate were behind the diversions of sale of the palliatives providing by the Federal Government for the state.

They pinpointed officials of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) as one of the suspects.

“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,” DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, stated.

It will be recalled that the Federal Government had allocated palliatives worth billions of Naira to states across the Federation to help ease the burden of the fuel subsidy removal.

The DSS were, however, tipped off by state governments on the criminal activities of syndicates looking to divert the palliatives meant for the people.

“Consequently, the Service undertook investigations in that regard and has recovered some of the items as well as apprehended the suspects,” Peter Afunanya said.

The DSS has called on citizens to report any information they might have on the activities of these syndicates.

“The Service, therefore, calls on members of the public who may have information relating to this emerging trend to report same to the relevant security agencies for necessary action,” the statement read.

The suspects have now been turned over for further actions.