The palliative controversy involving cabinet officials is the subject of an inquiry into the Cabinet office, which is overseen by the Secretary to the Kano State Government.The investigation was prompted by the discovery of 200 bags of grains that were allegedly taken and moved to a warehouse in the state's Sharada Industrial Estate.
Taking reporters and government representatives to the remote warehouse, Governor Yusuf showed surprise as he was shown around the space where food supplies were kept next to chemical drums.
Empty bags of personalized 10 kilogram rice and corn, emblazoned with Governor Abba's image, were observed strewn all around the warehouse. The discovery came about as a result of a tip from the locals who were concerned about the unusual activities of unidentified individuals transferring food products into the warehouse.
Governor Yusuf instructed the Commissioner of Police to seize control of the facility and launch a prompt inquiry aimed at apprehending all culprits.
Thousands of branded bags of grains intended as palliatives were observed being diverted into the warehouse while unbranded bags were being taken out of the same location, according to Mr. Rabiu Amour, a leader in the Sharada community, who briefed the governor on the spot at the warehouse.
We chose to raise the alarm because we are aware that these food products are intended to be given to less fortunate individuals. This is our way of supporting the governor's wonderful intentions; he is working hard to assist the oppressed, but certain members of the system are working against him.
In response to a directive from Governor Yusuf, state Commissioner for Agriculture Danjuma Mahmoud addressed reporters, stating that the government has found a secluded warehouse where released palliatives have been diverted and that an emergency investigation has been launched.
The Agric Commissioner stated that food goods are being rebagged and resold in the market, despite the fact that he acknowledged that additional inquiry will reveal the extent of quantity hijacked and diverted to the warehouse.
According to him, the particular amount of maize and rice that was taken and hidden in the warehouse was intended to be given to Kano residents who were physically challenged as well as the widows of Kano's security agencies and the military forces.
The commissioner acknowledged that two suspects had been turned over to the police in relation to the incident, but he would not name the perpetrators. He said that in order to determine the true nature of the development, the administration has assembled an inquiry committee.
You will remember that the government later set aside a sizable portion of the palliatives especially to be distributed to people with special needs like those in the community, following the official unveiling of the distribution of food items meant for the less fortunate as palliatives to crush the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
"In addition to individuals with special needs, the previous round of palliative care was intended for widows and relatives of those serving in the police, Army, Navy, Air Force, and other armed forces, as well as those from sister organizations including Hisbah Vigilante, Immigration, Prison Services, Customs, and Civilians Defense.
"Incidentally, intelligence reports revealed that these food items are being rebagged and sold in the market. The government discovered that several bags of these food items had been hijacked and diverted to a warehouse in Sharada industrial estate." stated the commissioner.
In the meantime, Tasiu Al'amin Roba, a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor who is affiliated to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, and another individual by the name of Abdulkadir Muhammad have been confirmed as being arrested in relation to the palliative controversy by the Kano State Police command.
The two people who were allegedly working closely with the SSG, Dr. Abdullahi Bichi, were reportedly transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) by the government, a reliable source at the command informed The Guardian.
In order to make sure that all palliative supplies reach the appropriate recipients, Governor Yusuf recently established a robust Compliance Committee for Palliatives Distribution, which is chaired by the Secretary to the State Government and his Chief of Staff and includes six additional pertinent commissioners.
Governor Yusuf underlined at the committee's establishment that the palliatives are only intended to be given to the state's less fortunate residents, and neither senior civil personnel nor political appointees under his administration should profit from them.
The unsightly development may have put the legitimacy of those in charge of the palliative under scrutiny, and a source with knowledge of the development suggested that the system's managers may have colluded.
An unidentified insider in the SSG's office informed The Guardian that the diversion tale was actually being planned to damage the SSG's reputation, despite the fact that no official at the Cabinet Office was ready to comment on the issue.
The unnamed source claims that one of the defendants detained in relation to the purported diversion was the primary grain supplier who purposefully produced an excess supply in order to satisfy government demands. He claimed that the provider was only deterred and charged of stealing when he agreed to retrieve the remnants following compliance with government demands.
The source cleared the SSG of any involvement in the alleged fraud, despite failing to disclose how, as a political appointee, he obtained the multibillion naira contract to supply the palliatives. He also accused the putative supplier of selecting a remote warehouse to rebag the alleged excess.