The Kebbi State Government has confirmed the looting of palliatives kept in a government warehouse in the Bayan Kara area of Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir Idris, Ahmed Idris, said the looted items were worth N5billion.
He said the state government had procured the grains for distribution to the masses to ease the current hardship before the hoodlums broke into the warehouses and carted away what belonged to the masses.
He added that hoodlums had earlier attacked a consignment of palliatives brought to the state by Dangote before the latest incident.
“The government has procured and distributed assorted grains worth over N5 billion in over 200 trucks. It is unfortunate that those who broke into the warehouse had gone there to steal what belongs to people of the state.
“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,” the statement said.
The CPS said the government had secured its warehouses to prevent their reoccurrence.
It was gathered that the hoodlums, who defied security operatives stationed at the warehouse, also broke into some private warehouses and shops in the area and stole food items.
Speaking to the Daily Trust on Sunday, the Chairman of the Food Vendors Association at Bayan Kara Market in Birnin Kebbi, Muhammadu Gwadangwaji, said some shops and warehouses of traders were also set on fire by some youths.
“The security agent fired gunshots and teargas into the air, but the youths were not deterred. They forced their way in and looted the government warehouse and some of our shops,” he said.
