Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima has said those who were arrested for the diversion of bags of rice meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) will be prosecuted.

Shettima was quoted in a statement issued by his spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau.

Shettima in the statement ordered the commissioner of police to expedite action on the prosecution of the suspects.

Some IDPs had arrested an official of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency over theft of food items in Bakassi camp on Tuesday.

There had also been reports of the police arresting official who were involved in diversion of relief materials.

The statement read: “Governor Shettima approved funds for the food stuff at the IDPs camp and he is deeply pained by this development. The Governor regards any attempt to divert food meant for IDPs as a crime against humanity which must not go unpunished. The Governor has promptly asked the Commissioner of Police in Borno State to expedite action that should ensure the prosecution of anyone arrested whether officials or anybody at all, in order to secure conviction by the court.

“The Governor has told the Commissioner of Police not to entertain any plea from any quarter at all. The Governor would like the court sentence, if secured at the court, to serve as warning to whoever might be engaged in shortchanging citizens who live in trauma having lost their loved ones, means of livelihood and their homes as a result of violent attacks by insurgents.

“The Governor assures internally displaced persons that his administration will continue to take measures that would enhance their welfare. As part of these measures, the Bakassi IDP camp where the incident was said to have occurred, has between 3 to 4 Divisional Police Officers of the respective local government areas living at the camp. The idea of having D.P.Os and policemen living at IDP camps was part of measures introduced by Governor Shettima since 2014 in order to maximize security of lives and property as well as the protection of human rights across all IDPs camps and other parts of Borno State.”

Azeez