The Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has uncovered a warehouse where 16,800 bags of rice, intended for federal government palliative distribution, were being repackaged for resale in the open market.
The rice, originally intended as humanitarian aid during the previous year’s Ramadan and marked with the inscription “Not for sale” and a picture of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was being processed for unauthorized sale.
The warehouse, located along Hotoro Ring Road near Farin Masallaci, housed 28 trucks filled with the rice.
Each truck contained approximately 600 bags, leading to a substantial quantity of rice being illegally diverted from its intended use.
PCACC Chairman, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, confirmed the raid, emphasizing that the rice was meant for public distribution as part of the government’s palliative efforts to alleviate hardship.
“This is a clear case of corruption. People are taking advantage of the government’s intervention to repackage and sell rice that was meant to help the public,” Rimingado said during the raid.
He further stated that the commission would conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and take necessary legal actions against those involved.
So far, one person has been arrested in connection with the illegal activity, and the commission vowed to continue probing the case until all those responsible are identified.
The seized rice is estimated to be worth around N1.3 billion, with each bag currently priced at N82,000.
The PCACC has warned that such corrupt practices will be dealt with firmly, given the ongoing economic challenges facing Nigerians.
