The Department of State Services (DSS) has announced the arrest of some officials of State Emergency Management Agency diverting palliatives meant to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.

The information was made by the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, yesterday while speaking with journalists in Abuja. According to him, some of the suspects arrested at a popular market in Lafia where the items were being resold included officials of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) and their accomplices.

He divulged that some of the diverted items were recovered from the suspects.

“The Department of State Services (DSS) has received reports from some State Governments relating to diversion or sale of palliatives meant for their citizens,” he announced. “Consequently, the Service undertook investigations in that regard and has recovered some of the items as well as apprehended the suspects.”

The DSS spokesperson urged members of the public who may have information relating to the occurring trend to report same to the relevant security agencies for necessary action, saying the culprits would be punished according to laws. He noted that while their operation was ongoing in other states, the service has already intercepted a suspected criminal syndicate in Nasarawa State responsible for the diversion and sale of the palliatives meant for the vulnerable in the place.

It would be recalled federal government had a few weeks ago shared thousands of bags of rice, a staple food, across 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory in order to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, particularly on the vulnerable citizens.