Govt orders probe of alleged diversion of food meant for IDPs

dimeji akinloye

June 18, 2016 4:38 PM

The rice, supplied by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for the feeding of the IDPs in the state, was allegedly diverted by some government officials.

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

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The directive is contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Malam Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy to Gov. Kashim Shettima, in Maiduguri.

Gusau said that the governor gave the directive, while hosting heads of security agencies and members of the State Executive Council to a Ramadan breakfast at the Government House in Maiduguri.

He said that the directive followed widespread allegations that some government functionaries were diverting food supplies meant for the feeding of IDPs to personal use.

"Gov. Kashim Shettima has directed security agents to investigate and arrest anyone found culpable in the alleged diversion of rice meant for the feeding of the IDPs in the state.

"The directive followed the circulation of video clips and still pictures on social media alleging that some officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) are re-bagging rice meant for the IDPs feeding for onward sales in the market,’’ he said.

The special adviser said that Shettima, however, blamed the development on certain politicians who were bent on bringing down his administration at all costs.

"The governor said that although he would await the outcome of the investigation, he is aware that a group of Abuja-based politicians from the state have sworn to bring down his administration.

"They are using all kinds of mischief, including the one of May 29 when hundreds of his posters were dubiously produced.

"The posters were pasted along strategic ‎points in Abuja and Kaduna, claiming that he is aspiring to become Nigeria’s president in 2019 with Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo as his running mate.

"They are coming up with all kinds of mischief, including trying to set me up against the Presidency, they don’t care if doing that can obstruct our success in the war against Boko Haram insurgents,’’ Gusau said.

READ: FG plans return of 80,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon

There have been reports of starvation in some of the camps of the displaced persons in the north east, which has reportedly led to the death of some children.

dimeji akinloye