Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Agency has sealed a warehouse where 16,600 bags of rice worth over N1 billion meant for the federal government palliative are being repackaged for sale.
The rice palliative, suspected to have been released during last year’s ‘Ramadan Kareen’ and tagged ‘Not for Sale,’ carries the picture of President Bola Tinubu.
The facility which is located on Ring Road in Nasarawa Local Government Area was sealed during an operation led by the Executive Chairman of the agency, Muhuyi Rimin-Gado on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after conducting the operation, Rimin-Gado said the warehouse was stockpiled with 28 trucks of the rice allegedly diverted by some individuals found re-bagging the commodity.
He said the rice was re-bagged into different brands meant to be circulated and sold in different markets in the state.
The chairman noted that one person had been arrested in connection with the matter, while investigation would commence to fish out those behind the scam.
Rimin-Gado said 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 re-bagging it,” he said.
“We recovered a re-bagging machine for repacking and re-bagging rice meant for the public.
“So, we are here based on investigative 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.”
He maintained that their action was backed by a court order and would ensure that all the legal procedures were taken to deal with the case.