Babatunji Wusu –
The Organised Private Sector (OPS) has expressed alarm over the growing number of incidents of suspected thugs robbing trucks of food and raw supplies, highlighting the potential for industries all throughout the country to be forced to close.
OPS agents issued the warning on Monday in response to vandals attacking trucks transporting spaghetti and building supplies in the states of Ogun and Kaduna.
Because of the nation’s growing food inflation and rising cost of living, criminals have been hitting a lot of trucks and warehouses, a lot of which are owned by manufacturers and other OPS members.
In the Suleja region of Niger State, last week, a group of young people stole food goods from trucks that were stopped in traffic on the Kaduna Road.
On Sunday, in the Dei-Dei neighborhood of the capital city, thugs broke into a warehouse belonging to the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat and stole food supplies, including rice and wheat.
Soldiers stationed at the Idu Industrial Estate in Jabi, Abuja, stopped another group’s attempt to plunder a private warehouse.
Gabriel Idahosa, the president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed concern that the attacks may make matters worse for businesses and perhaps lead to their closure. He claimed that the current economic difficulties are bringing about chaos.
Idahosa emphasized the need to confront the nation’s increasing unrest and looting immediately, pointing out that people are becoming more desperate and hungry, which is pushing them to commit crimes.
He emphasized the necessity of taking immediate action to reduce hunger and stop the spread of criminality. Idahosa also brought attention to the substantial financial losses incurred by large manufacturing companies as a result of the looting, which may result in company closures and employment losses.
He warned of the terrible repercussions if the violence and criminality continue unchecked and called for coordinated action to stop the trend.
Abdul Rahman Bioku, the Chairman of the Kwara/Kogi Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, linked the nation’s current circumstances to the stealing of food and other supplies.
The CEO of the Bioraj Group of Companies, Bioku, stated that the general public’s dissatisfaction and hunger had caused a great deal of rage.
He emphasized the collapse of numerous manufacturing firms, which led to layoffs and pay reductions for the surviving staff.
Bioku stressed that the government’s palliative measures were insufficient to completely meet the needs of the people, and he blamed the looting on this.
He suggested that in order to solve the problem of transportation, the government should prioritize supplying raw materials to manufacturers, build long buses for every state, and guarantee farmer security.
AbdulRhaman Maku, the Executive Secretary of the Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce, denounced the theft of food-related trucks and encouraged the authorities to consider such acts as unlawful conduct.
He urged state governors to expeditiously disburse the food palliatives that were promised in order to avert needless suspicion and more instances of thievery.
Maku emphasized how important it is for law enforcement to take a tough stance against illegal activity and make sure that companies are safeguarded in these trying times.
The federal government declared that it would begin providing free grains to the states this week.
