Residents of Kebbi State stormed a government warehouse located in the Bayan Kara area of Birnin Kebbi, the state capital on Saturday night (March 30). The mob overpowered security personnel and looted food items, primarily rice, intended for distribution as survival rations.
This incident, mirroring recent looting sprees in other Nigerian states, especially Suleja in Niger State and Nigeria’s capital Abuja, reflects growing frustration over delays in distributing essential aid as the economic hardship in the country bites harder.
According to reports, the looters also targeted private stores, taking essential food items. The chairman of the Bayan Kara Market Food Vendors Association, Muhammadu Gwadangwaji, expressed his dismay at the looting of his members’ shops in addition to the government warehouse.
The Kebbi State Governor’s spokesperson, Ahmed Idris, described the event as “unfortunate” and clarified that the looted rice was purchased by the government for distribution to residents. He further stated that measures are being implemented to improve security at warehouses to prevent future thefts.
The Kebbi State government has yet to announce if there will be an investigation into the incident or if there are plans to expedite the distribution of the rations.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
