Kano state officials arrested for allegedly trying to steal water equipment

Three officials of the Kano State Ministry of Water Resources have been arrested for alleged attempt to loot water facility equipment from Tudun Wada Local Government of the State, and currently being interrogated by the police.

Penpushing reports that the suspects allegedly wrote a memo notifying the local government chairman, and the Divisional Police Officer, in charge of Tudun Wada, informing them of the state government’s plan to replace the water equipment in the area.

The official correspondence dated December 4,2023 revealed that Baba Yahaya, an Assistant Secretary 1, notified the local government authorities about the plan of the state government to boost water supply and irrigation, thus, necessitating the need to replace the existing equipment in the area.

“In line with the present administration’s effort to address the issue of water supply across the 44 LGAs in the state. I am directed to bring your notice that the ministry will currently embark on the replacement of water tanks with pipelines along the above-mentioned route, please’, the memo reads.

Penpushing further reports that suspecting foul play, some residents of the council area became suspicious when some scrap metal dealers, instead of government officials, arrived at the water facility plant, and dismantled the equipment including a generator set used for irrigation farming in the area.

The residents, thereafter alerted the police and local government chairman who subsequently contacted the Commissioner for Water Resources, Ali Makoda, for clarification, but denied consent for the exercise and ordered the arrest of the officials

Penpushing also reports that the commissioner confirmed the arrest of the trio on Monday, adding that nine persons including the three officials from the Ministry are being interrogated by the police for their involvement in the act.

The commissioner gave identities of, the officials who are being investigated as include Nuhu Mansur from the Irrigation Department of the Water Ministry; Abubakar Gambo, the Director of Administration and General Duties as well as Yahaya, who is the Assistant Secretary 1 of the Ministry.

‘For the letter presented to you No MWR/ADM/s/52/Tll dated 4/12/2023 on the above-mentioned subject. I write to inform you that the letter was written without the consent of the Honourable Commissioner, please. In view, of the above, disregard the letter notice accordingly’, authorities declared

Penpushing further reports that as at the time of filing this reports the Kano State Police Command Public Relations Officer Haruna Kiyawa, was yet to react or issue any official statement on the development

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