- Officials from Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) and their collaborators were among those arrested at a market in Lafia where the items were being resold
- The DSS had received reports from several state governments regarding the diversion or sale of these palliatives, prompting their investigation and subsequent arrests
The Department of State Services (DSS) has made public the arrest of individuals from the State Emergency Management Agency who were involved in diverting palliatives intended to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the Nigerian populace.
DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya revealed this information during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
Afunanya stated that among those arrested were officials from Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) and their collaborators, who were caught at a well-known market in Lafia, where the items were being resold.
Furthermore, he noted that some of the diverted items were successfully recovered from the suspects.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) has received reports from some State Governments relating to diversion or sale of palliatives meant for their citizens,” he announced.
“Consequently, the Service undertook investigations in that regard and has recovered some of the items as well as apprehended the suspects.”
The DSS spokesperson called on the public to report any information related to this trend to security agencies. The agency has intercepted a criminal syndicate in Nasarawa State responsible for diverting and selling palliatives meant for the vulnerable.
These palliatives were distributed by the federal government to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal. Culprits will face legal consequences for their actions.