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Police in Katsina State have arrested a suspect for allegedly diverting 1,500 sachets of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) meant for free distribution to malnourished children in public healthcare facilities.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, confirmed the arrest in a statement released Tuesday, stating that police surveillance officers attached to the Batagarawa Division intercepted the suspect on August 26 following a tip-off.
Officers recovered three sacks containing the intercepted RUTF, locally known as “Yar Kwamaso.” During interrogation, the suspect confessed to obtaining the specialized nutritional supplies from a health clinic worker, who is currently at large.
The suspect remains in custody as investigators work to track down the fleeing clinic employee and unravel the broader network involved in siphoning government humanitarian supplies.
DSP Sadiq-Aliyu emphasised that RUTF is a specialised medical product distributed strictly under clinical supervision and is never meant for sale or commercial distribution.
Katsina State Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Umar Fage, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the diversion scheme, directing that all involved parties be charged to court upon the investigation’s conclusion.
The command reiterated its commitment to protecting public health interventions and urged the public to report any illegal diversion of medical relief materials to law enforcement.
