Abuja: Hoodlums loot government warehouse amid growing hardship

In an act of desperation fueled by mounting economic challenges, hoodlums looted a warehouse on Sunday morning, mistakenly believed to be owned by the National Emergency Agency (NEMA).

The facility, however, belongs to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Department of Agriculture, as clarified by an anonymous source.

The aggrieved residents seized the opportunity to alleviate their hardships, plundering the warehouse of essential foodstuffs and other stored items. This incident sheds light on the prevailing economic turmoil faced by Nigerians, exacerbated by government policies such as the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of the forex rate.

Across various states, citizens have taken to the streets to voice their discontent over the soaring prices of commodities.

On February 7, Suleja residents in Niger State staged a protest against the exorbitant cost of living, echoing similar sentiments expressed just two days earlier in the state capital, Minna.

The protesters wielded placards with messages like “Leadership is about improving the lives of the masses” and “Nigerians are suffering, end the hardship now.”

A parallel demonstration unfolded days later in Ibadan, Oyo State, where youths in Mokola passionately voiced their concerns with placards reading ‘End food hike and inflation,’ ‘The poor are starving,’ and ‘Tinubu, don’t forget your promises,’ among others.

The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has acknowledged the hardship faced by the Nigerian masses and introduced several palliative measures to address the situation.

In response to the crisis, President Tinubu ordered the National Security Adviser, (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, to collaborate with governors and go after those hoarding foodstuffs.

The President ruled out the importation of food items, stating, “What I will not do is to set a price control board. I will not also approve the importation of food.”.

He emphasised the need for self-sufficiency, stating, “We should be able to get ourselves out of the situation we found ourselves in because importation will allow rent seekers to perpetrate fraud and mismanagement at our collective expense. We would rather support farmers with the schemes that will make them go to the farm and grow more food for everyone in the country.”

“We must also look at the rapid but thoughtful implementation of our livestock development and management plans, including dairy farming and others,” the President added.

Despite the release of grains to ease the rising cost of food items, many Nigerians continue to express their displeasure over the economic hardship in the country.