Preliminary investigation showed that the suspect had no lawful authority to possess the items and that he confessed during interrogation to obtaining them from another individual, identified as a staff member of a clinic
By Moses Okorie
The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a man suspected of illegally diverting 1,500 sachets of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) meant for the treatment of malnourished children.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Katsina.
According to him, the suspect was apprehended on August 26 following credible intelligence received by the police.
He explained that surveillance officers attached to the Batagarawa Divisional Police Headquarters intercepted the suspect while he was in possession of three sacks containing the 1,500 sachets of RUTF, popularly known as “Yar Kwamaso.”
Sadiq-Aliyu said the nutritional products were earmarked for free distribution through public healthcare facilities to children suffering from malnutrition.
He said preliminary investigation showed that the suspect had no lawful authority to possess the items and that he confessed during interrogation to obtaining them from another individual, identified as a staff member of a clinic.
The alleged accomplice, he added, is currently at large, while efforts are ongoing to arrest him and establish the full extent of the suspected diversion network.
The police spokesman warned individuals against the unauthorised possession, sale, purchase or diversion of RUTF and other medical supplies provided for vulnerable members of the public.
He stressed that RUTF is a specialised medical nutrition product designed specifically for the management of severe acute malnutrition and is not intended for commercial sale.
According to him, the product is distributed free of charge to beneficiaries through designated healthcare facilities under clinical supervision.
Sadiq-Aliyu said anyone found involved in the illegal handling or diversion of the products would face arrest and prosecution.
He further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, CP Ali Umar Fage, had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The commissioner also directed that the suspects be prosecuted after the investigation is concluded, he said.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting government health interventions and humanitarian relief materials from diversion and abuse.
Sadiq-Aliyu urged members of the public to promptly report suspected diversion of government palliatives, medical supplies and other humanitarian materials to the nearest police station for appropriate action.