Police Arrest Nine Over Alleged Diversion of RUTF in Katsina

By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar (Katsina Times)

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested nine suspects and recovered 1,624 sachets of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), popularly known as “Yar Kwamaso”, allegedly diverted from supplies meant for public health and nutrition interventions.

The arrests were made by police operatives in collaboration with the Joint Taskforce Committee on RUTF during separate operations in Katsina metropolis and Mashi Local Government Area.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Umar Fage.

According to the statement, the first arrest was made on September 3, when operatives, acting on intelligence, arrested a 46-year-old woman, Amina Abdurrahman, at Mobil Quarters, Katsina, with two sacks containing 600 sachets of suspected diverted RUTF.

The police said the suspect allegedly told investigators that she bought the products from an accomplice who is currently at large in the Kofar Marusa area of Katsina.

The Command said another operation was conducted on September 7 at Mashi Market in Mashi LGA and Kwado Quarters in Katsina metropolis, leading to the arrest of eight additional suspects.

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The suspects were identified as Aisha Rabi’u, Jamila Yahaya, Farida Kabir, Shafa’atu Abubakar, Sabiu Kabir, Rabilu Rabi’u, Maryam Kabir and Buhari Usman.

Police said 888 sachets of RUTF were recovered from seven of the suspects at Mashi Market, while another 136 sachets were recovered from Buhari Usman at Kwado Quarters.

This brings the total quantity of suspected diverted RUTF recovered during the operations to 1,624 sachets.

The police said all nine suspects remained in custody while discreet investigations continued.

The Commissioner of Police directed investigators to trace the source and supply chain of the products and identify other persons or networks allegedly involved in the diversion.

The Command said the suspects would be arraigned before a court after the conclusion of investigations.

It also warned traders and vendors against buying, selling or handling diverted government medical and nutrition supplies, saying anyone found involved would face the law.