The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has partnered with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to tackle fraudulent practices that threaten the effective delivery of aid to vulnerable communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The partnership was formalised during a familiarisation visit by the ICPC to the UNOCHA office in Maiduguri on Tuesday. Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Borno and Yobe states, Linus Gubbi, said the visit aimed to introduce the agency, open direct communication channels and identify corruption risks in the aid supply chain.

Gubbi explained that the collaboration would help integrate anti-corruption safeguards into humanitarian operations. He said UNOCHA could benefit from specialised training for staff and partners, early access to information on suspected diversion of resources, secure reporting channels and technical advice to strengthen internal controls.

He appreciated UNOCHA for its open-door policy and acknowledged the organisation’s role in coordinating life-saving assistance and mobilising resources for millions of people across the North-East and the wider Lake Chad region.

In her response, UNOCHA Head of Office in Maiduguri, Patricia Mucheche, described the partnership as timely. She called for capacity building on accountability procedures and clear reporting mechanisms, assuring that the organisation would continue working with stakeholders to ensure transparency in the delivery of relief materials.