The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a man, Muhammad Aliyu over alleged criminal conspiracy and unlawful diversion of 1,500 sachets of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food RUTF popularly known as Yar Kwamaso meant for malnourished children.
The suspect was arrested on August 26, 2026 by police surveillance officers attached to the Batagarawa Division following credible intelligence received by the command. According to the police, Aliyu was intercepted while in possession of three sacks containing the 1,500 sachets of RUTF. The nutritional products were designated for free distribution through public healthcare facilities for the treatment of children suffering from malnutrition.
The command said preliminary investigation revealed that the products were not meant for commercial purposes, stressing that RUTF is a specialised medical nutrition commodity provided free of charge to vulnerable and malnourished children under clinical supervision.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to obtaining the RUTF from one Zaharaddini Musa, identified as a staff member of a clinic. The police said Musa is currently at large and efforts are ongoing to apprehend him.
The command said Aliyu remains in police custody and is assisting investigators in tracing his alleged accomplice and determining the full extent of the network involved in the diversion of the humanitarian supplies.
The police warned individuals and groups against the unauthorised possession, sale, purchase or diversion of RUTF and other public health commodities, noting that such activities could undermine government and humanitarian efforts to tackle malnutrition among vulnerable children.
The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command CP Ali Umar Fage has directed a thorough investigation into the case and ordered that the suspect and other persons found to be involved be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.
The command also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities involving the diversion of government palliatives, RUTF and other medical supplies to the nearest police station to enable security agencies take prompt action.
The Police Public Relations Officer DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu in a statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police on Tuesday, September 1, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting public health interventions and humanitarian relief materials from criminal diversion.
