In response to the recent looting of food warehouses in Abuja, the police have intensified security measures at National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) warehouses nationwide. The move comes after suspected hoodlums raided a warehouse belonging to the Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat of the FCT Administration in the Dei-Dei area of the capital city.
On Sunday morning, soldiers successfully foiled an attempted raid on a factory warehouse in the Idu Industrial District, Jabi, Abuja. The facility, engaged in the production, processing, and packaging of various agro-commodities, saw the arrest of five attackers, as captured in footage provided to The PUNCH.
Numerous incidents of attacks and looting of warehouses and food trucks have been reported in various cities amid the prevailing hardship and cost-of-living crisis. The Abuja incident occurred shortly after the assault on the Dei-Dei warehouse, prompting the police to bring the situation under control.
Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the looting in Dei-Dei and assured that the situation had been resolved. The Nigerian Army also verified the thwarted attack at the Idu Industrial area, revealing the arrest of five suspects, who were caught with their loot.
Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director, Army Public Relations, stated that the suspects would undergo preliminary investigation before being handed over to the police. A source from the targeted factory revealed that the security reinforcement played a crucial role in preventing the looting, with armed soldiers, policemen, and private guards effectively handling the situation.
The source disclosed that the security personnel had received early information about the impending attack and called for backup, including the Department of State Services (DSS) officers and additional soldiers. Despite the attempted breach, the security measures proved successful, leading to the arrest of some suspects, while others fled the scene. The source emphasized the importance of heightened security in preventing a repeat of the 2020 looting incident during the COVID-19 period.
