Kebbi State Takes Action to Recover Stolen N2.1 Billion Intended for Orphans

Kebbi State Government Forms Committee to Recover Misappropriated Funds for Orphans

The Kebbi State Government has established a committee tasked with recovering funds that were fraudulently withdrawn from the accounts of orphans, following the distribution of N2.1 billion by the World Muslim League. This financial assistance was allocated to support a total of 1,849 orphans across the state through bank transfers.

On October 10, the World Muslim League allocated the substantial amount to facilitate the well-being of these young beneficiaries. However, it has come to light that certain guardians, responsible for managing the funds, have engaged in deceptive practices, shortchanging the orphans they were supposed to protect.

During a press briefing held in Birnin Kebbi on Friday, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Aliyu, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, revealed that Governor Nasir Idris has ordered an urgent recovery of the misappropriated funds, emphasizing the significance of returning the money to its rightful owners.

“The governor possesses a deep compassion for orphans and is committed to addressing this issue,” stated Sani-Aliyu. He outlined the directive given to the committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

In their inquiries, the state government contacted the banks involved in the distribution of the funds. The banks reported that the fraudulent activities occurred via Point of Sale (POS) terminals rather than through standard banking transactions.

“We are issuing a warning: if any bank is found to be complicit in the illegal withdrawal of orphans’ funds, the government will submit a formal complaint to the bank’s headquarters for appropriate action,” the commissioner cautioned.

This initiative marks a significant step by the Kebbi State Government to protect vulnerable children and ensure accountability among financial custodians.