Shettima Seeks Urgent Trial Of Suspected Rice Thieves In IDP Camps

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, has asked for the immediate prosecution of those arrested over the diversion of bags of rice meant for internally displaced persons in the state.

The directive was contained in a statement issued by the spokesman for the governor, Isa Gusau, on Wednesday.

In the statement, the governor said the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Damien Chukwu, should expedite action on the prosecution of some officials allegedly involved in the diversion of 50 bags of rice meant for internally displaced persons.

He said anyone found guilty should be prosecuted and jailed.

The governor’s directive followed a report that some IDPs on Tuesday morning arrested an official of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency over alleged theft of food items meant for them at the Bakassi IDP camp.

Four officials were said to have been picked up by the police, following their earlier arrest by the IDPs.

The governor was said to be very bitter about the development and vowed to ensure that anyone found culpable among those arrested would be prosecuted and sent to jail.

According to the statement, the alleged stolen food items were bought by the state government this month.