The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday confirmed that the items doled out by the Federal Government as palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy have been hijacked by top-ranking government officials in some states.

The secret police arrested some officials of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency for stealing and selling the palliatives meant for suffering Nigerians at the modern market in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, in a statement noted that they have recovered some of the items, adding that similar operations were ongoing in other states of the federation.

He said, “The Department of State Services has received reports from some state governments relating to diversion or sale of palliatives meant for their citizens.

“Consequently, the Service undertook investigations in that regard and has recovered some of the items as well as apprehended the suspects.

“While this operation is ongoing in other states, the Service has, for instance, intercepted a suspected criminal syndicate in Nasarawa State responsible for the diversion and sale of the palliatives meant for the vulnerable in the place.

Among those suspects are officials of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency and their accomplices in the markets, notably Modern Market Lafia, where the items were being resold. The suspects have, however, been handed over for appropriate disciplinary measures.”