Each time you hear that there is hunger in the land, there are signs you will see to be certain about the situation. The looting of a warehouse in Kebbi is a typical example.
Sad, yet real, a government warehouse in the Bayan Kara area of Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, was attacked on Saturday by some residents who carted away food items.
The residents defied security operatives stationed at the warehouse.
They also broke into some private warehouses and shops in the area and looted food items.
Unfortunately, a broken-down truck loaded with assorted grains for distribution in Birnin Kebbi was around the neighbourhood. It was looted to the last grain.
This is amidst the cost-of-living crisis largely believed to have been caused by the removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira.
Bad Day For Traders
The Chairman of the food vendors association at Bayan Kara Market in Birnin Kebbi, Muhammadu Gwadangwaji, spoke with journalists.
He said some shops and warehouses of traders were also set on fire by some youths.
Unfortunate Incident
He said: “They (security agents) fired gunshots and teargas into the air, but they (the youths) were not deterred.
“They forced their way in and looted the government warehouse and some of our shops”.
In his reaction, Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir Idris, described the incident as “unfortunate”.
He said: “The hoodlums had earlier attacked the consignment of food items that was brought to the state for distribution to the people by Dangote before going to the government warehouse to loot it.
“Such incident has never happened in Kebbi before.
“The food items they looted are part of the foodstuffs purchased by the state government for distribution to people of the state.
Also Read: Is Looting Of Warehouse A Criminal Act? See What Minister Mariya Thinks
“Government has procured and distributed assorted grains worth over 5 billion Naira in over 200 trucks.
“It is unfortunate those who broke into the warehouse had gone there to steal what belongs to people of the state”.
He said the government had secured its warehouses to prevent reoccurrence.
