A contractor who allegedly diverted 60 truck-load of grains meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno State has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The suspect (names withheld) delivered only fifty-three trucks out of 113 allocated to the state and diverted the rests to an unknown location.
In an interview with journalists in Maiduguri, Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ndume, who made the disclosure said the distribution had to stop because of alleged diversions by unscrupulous elements.
“It is an unfortunate incident; the contractor only delivered 53 trucks out of the 113 allocated to Borno State.
“We cannot proceed with the distribution. I have to go back and inform the President of this ugly development.” Ndume, who hails from Gwoza Local Government Area of the state, said his visit was prompted by President Buhari, who asked him to commence distribution of grains alongside officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.
He, however, disclosed that the contractor had since been arrested and was being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Meanwhile, the Senate leader also said plans were underway to shut down all IDP camps housing some Borno indigenes across the country, while they would be taken to transit camp in their respective local government areas “from where they can easily go back to their homes.”
“I have told them (IDPs) in clear terms that time is ripe for them to go back home; there is no point remaining in the camp after three years. “Gwoza Local Government Area, where I hail from, in particular, is now safe and secured.
“Over 10,000 residents are now living safely in Gwoza and there is no cause for alarm.
“It is very regretful that less than 3,000 Gwoza IDPs now in Maiduguri have refused to go back and resettle, despite all pleas to them,” Senator Ndume said.
