The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday condemned the stealing of nutrition supplements in some communities in Sokoto State.

UNICEF’s chief of field office in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, Michael Juma, deplored the alleged diversion of nutrition supplements during the quarterly policymakers’ meeting.

“I urge community members and stakeholders in the healthcare sector to intensify vigilance against the diversion of prepared nutrition supplements in Sokoto,” Juma said.

UNICEF and the Sokoto State Government organised the meeting to discuss activities, successes, challenges and offer solutions to lingering issues.

According to Juma, the nutrition supplements were provided by donors and distributed to healthcare centres in different communities to enhance the lives of malnourished children.

“However, some bad elements in the system connived with traders and engaged in selling the supplements to unintended persons. The supplements were openly sold in the markets,” he lamented.

He explained that UNICEF while investigating the designated stores, discovered that personnel stocked cartons of supplements with stones and other objects to cover their evil deeds.

“I urge the Sokoto Government to join other states in appointing a statistician-general to fast-track data collection, prudence, preservation and dissemination in line with modern trends,” Juma said.