From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
A Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Kano State, Tasiu Al Amin Rabo has been arrested by the police for his alleged complicity in the diversion of palliatives meant to be distributed to the poor.
Also arrested in connection with the alleged scandal currently rocking the state is a suspect, whose name was simply given as Abdukadir Muhammed.
Both suspects are currently cooling off their heels at the Sharada Division of the Police Command in the state where they are said to have made statements.
Daily Sun gathered that the case is expected to be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department of the police command in the state for detailed investigation and possible prosecution.
A statement yesterday by Sanusi Bature, the spokesman to the state governor, disclosed that the suspects were arrested after some members of Sharada community tipped off the police about the activities of the suspects in the suspicious warehouse situated in their neighborhood.
The leader of the Sharada Community, Rabiu Amour, while briefing the governor on the alleged crime, recalled that they had observed that thousands of bags branded with the Governor’s portrait and designed as palliatives were being re – bagged at the warehouse and moved out, adding that they felt obliged to call the attention of the police to investigate what was going on at the warehouse.
“We know these food items are meant to be distributed to less privileged people, therefore we decided to make a whistle blow” he stated.
Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture, Danjuma Mahmoud also confirmed the discovery of this isolated warehouse where released palliatives were diverted to.
He, however, could not give the exact quantity of palliatives already diverted, adding that investigation would reveal the quantity that had been diverted by the suspects.