6 arrested over sale of govt’s textbooks

Yekini Jimoh, Ilorin - 07.01.2008

SIX people have been arrested by the police in Kwara State for allegedly selling government textbooks meant to be distributed free to primary school pupils.

The suspects, who are workers of a primary school in Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state, were arrested while selling the books at Oja Oba market in Ilorin.

The state government had, as part of its reform agenda in the education sector, bought textbooks for free distribution to pupils.

Although, the identity of the suspects could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, the spokesman of the state Ministry of Education, Mallam Nurudeen Dauda, confirmed that the suspects were arrested last Wednesday and were handed over to the police for further investigation.

Dauda reiterated the commitment of the Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi, to the reform agenda in the education sector, warning that any act of sabotage from anyone would be punished.

According to him, the six suspects are members of staff of Ogidi LGEA Primary School in Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state.