EFCC arrests SEMA Official, 2 others for diverting IDP items

chika ebuzor

September 6, 2017 6:10 PM

Bajoga said the materials were donated to the state by the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative (PCNI).

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Gombe Zonal Office, said it had arrested the Secretary of Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Danlami Arab Rukuje, for alleged diversion of materials meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

A statement signed by the commission’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Zone, Mr Bello Bajoga, in Gombe on Wednesday, said the arrest followed a tip-off by the Intelligence and Special Operations Section (ISOS) of the office.

Bajoga said the materials diverted include: cans of paints and bags of cement and other building materials donated to the state by the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative (PCNI).

He said that investigation revealed that the materials were diverted to other areas including markets for sale.

“A team of operatives acting on the information immediately swung into action and located shops where the materials were being sold.

“The Gombe State Fertiliser Grinding Plant where some of the materials were kept was also raided,“he said.

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According to the PRO, the store keeper at the state’s Emergency Agency, Isa Garba, and that of the Fertiliser Grinding Plant, Mu’azu Suleman, were also arrested.

He said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

chika ebuzor