Nigeria, April 22 -- The Niger State Government has procured more than 100 vehicles for judges and members of boards and commissions, a move that has drawn scrutiny amid widespread poverty and weak social indicators in the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said the vehicles were provided to ease official duties and improve service delivery.

"The distribution of vehicles became necessary to ease transportation difficulties of the officials," he said, adding that beneficiaries were urged to use them "judiciously for effective service delivery."

The vehicles, identified as Toyota Corolla models from the 2020 to 2023 production cycle, carry a substantial market value. Industry benchmarks and local valuation ...