BREAKING: DSS Raids Katsina Market, Seizes Over 1,200 Bags of Rebagged FG Palliative Rice
Katsina, Nigeria – In a significant operation, the Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly raided a market in Katsina, uncovering a scheme involving the rebagging and sale of palliative rice meant for distribution by the Federal Government (FG) to the state government.
Sources confirm that the raid, conducted on Wednesday, led to the arrest of several traders involved in the illicit activity. During the operation, over 1,200 bags of rice originally designated as palliatives by the FG were seized.
The palliative rice, intended to alleviate the hardship of the less privileged in Katsina State, was discovered to be repackaged by unscrupulous traders who aimed to profit from the goods. The bags of rice were found in various shops and storage facilities within the market, rebagged and ready for sale.
The DSS, acting on a tip-off, swiftly moved into action to halt the illegal operation. The agency’s spokesperson confirmed the arrests and the recovery of the rice, emphasizing the commitment of the DSS to ensure that government aid reaches its intended beneficiaries.
“This operation underscores our dedication to combating corruption and ensuring that palliatives provided by the Federal Government reach the people they are meant to help,” the DSS spokesperson said. “We will continue to monitor and act against such illegal activities.”
The arrested traders are currently undergoing interrogation, and further investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the operation and any potential accomplices involved.
The Katsina State Government has expressed gratitude to the DSS for its prompt action. A state official, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated, “We are thankful for the intervention by the DSS. This act of greed by a few individuals undermines the efforts of the government to provide relief to our people. We will cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation to ensure justice is served.”
The recovery of the palliative rice is seen as a crucial step in restoring public confidence in government distribution programs. Citizens of Katsina State have been urged to report any suspicious activities related to the distribution of palliatives to the authorities immediately.
This raid highlights the ongoing challenges faced in ensuring the transparent and equitable distribution of aid in Nigeria, and it serves as a stern warning to those who seek to exploit government relief efforts for personal gain.
