TheCable

Local government chairmen in Jigawa state went into hiding when operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) stormed the state on Thursday.

The anti-graft agency had summoned the chairmen over the alleged diversion of funds for a welfare programme of the federal government.

The operatives stormed the state on Thursday, following allegations that money meant for the federal government’s conditional cash transfer had been diverted.

The programme is part of measures put in place by the government to alleviate poverty among the “poorest of the poor” in the country.

Some residents had petitioned the EFCC, accusing the 27 local government chairmen of diverting the funds for private use.

TheCable gathered several letters of invitation had been extended to the council chairman before the visit.

But while some of them honoured the invitation, others chose to go into hiding. The alleged diversion had thrown the state into financial crisis.

Mohamed Guri, permanent secretary of the ministry of local government affairs, confirmed that EFCC operatives were in the state but declined further comment.

“It’s true that they were in this state today… that’s all I can tell you because I’m a civil servant,” he said.

Aminu Sani, chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Jigawa chapter, told TheCable that the chairmen were summoned to the EFCC office in Kano for questioning.