The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested some officials of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) and their accomplices for allegedly diverting and selling palliatives meant for Nigerians to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal by the Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Newsflash Nigeria understands that the suspects were nabbed at a popular market in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, where they were reselling the items to unsuspecting buyers.
The DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, confirmed the development while briefing journalists in Abuja.
He said the DSS had received reports from some state governments about the diversion or sale of palliatives meant for their citizens and had launched investigations into the matter.
He added that some of the diverted items were recovered from the suspects and that they would be prosecuted according to the law.
Afunanya urged members of the public who may have information relating to the emerging trend to report to the relevant security agencies for necessary action.
He said the DSS was committed to ensuring that those who took advantage of the situation to enrich themselves at the expense of the poor and vulnerable were brought to justice.
He also revealed that while their operation was ongoing in other states, the DSS had already intercepted a suspected criminal syndicate in Nasarawa State responsible for the diversion and sale of the palliatives meant for the vulnerable in the state. He said the syndicate had been operating under the guise of NASEMA officials and had been exploiting the people’s ignorance and desperation.
He warned Nigerians to be vigilant and cautious when buying or receiving palliatives from unknown sources.
He said the DSS would continue to work with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that the palliatives reached their intended beneficiaries.