The Borno State Police Command has arrested five suspects for allegedly stealing and diverting food items meant for malnourished children in the state.Spokesperson of the command, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday, noting that the suspects were found in possession of 7,871 sachets of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), a highly fortified nutrition pack distributed by humanitarian agencies to treat children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.According to Daso, the arrests followed credible intelligence that led operatives to track and intercept the suspects. He added that the diversion of such food items not only constitutes an economic crime but also puts the lives of thousands of vulnerable children at risk.
“The food items recovered are specifically designed to save the lives of malnourished children across Borno State. Any diversion or illegal sale of these supplies is a crime against humanity, and the suspects will face the full wrath of the law,”
the statement read.
The police spokesperson assured that investigation is ongoing to uncover the network behind the theft and to ensure that all those involved are prosecuted.Borno State, which has been at the center of the Boko Haram insurgency for over a decade, continues to grapple with high rates of child malnutrition due to displacement, food insecurity, and poverty. Humanitarian agencies often distribute RUTF to prevent large-scale child deaths, especially in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs).The suspects, whose names were not disclosed, are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded.