PRP concerned mass food lootings may cause anarchy unless govt acts fast
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nigeria may descend into anarchy with mass food lootings escalated particularly in Abuja and other Northern states caused by hunger across the country, bred by high food inflation, says the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
President Bola Tinubu in Lagos last week criticised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for having embarked on strikes and protests to point out the general hardship caused by the failure of the government to fulfil agreements with Labour.
But since Tinubu threw the jibe on February 29, there have been further warehouse invasions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and other parts of the North from where residents stole food items.
Some incidents occurred between last Friday and Monday, with residents of Idu-Karmo and Dei-Dei in the FCT marching on warehouses and trucks to cart away foodstuff.
Similar incidents took place in Dogarawa, a suburb of Zaria in Kaduna, where residents stole cartons of spaghetti from a parked truck belonging to BUA Company.
PRP acting National Publicity Secretary Muhammed Ishaq warned of the potential for the lootings to degenerate into anarchy if urgent action is not taken to address the rising cost of living affecting the majority of Nigerians.
To the PRP, the incidents are a symptom of a larger problem that requires a collective effort from all stakeholders, including industrialists and the business community, to address the root causes of such incidents and strive towards a more equitable society.
“The recent reports of looting of trucks carrying food items on our highways and cities are warning signals of the looming anarchy and turmoil which Nigeria faces in the foreseeable future if drastic measures are not taken to address the serious cost of living crisis facing the majority of Nigerian citizens,” Ishaq said in a statement.
“Yes, there is hunger and hardship in the land. Yes, there is poverty in the land, and the ruling elite has weaponised poverty, which has made citizens trade their votes for a pack or two of spaghetti as we saw in last year elections.”
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Poverty weaponised through difficult economic conditions
The PRP acknowledged the difficult conditions faced by many but cautioned citizens not to allow the weaponisation of poverty by the ruling class to drive them to crime and loot other people’s properties.
It expressed concern over the growing prices of essential commodities and urged industrialists to show empathy and reason by taking immediate steps to lower the prices of goods.
“It is crucial for businessmen to understand their role in society and prioritise the welfare of the people in their dealings.
“The dollar price, which has been used as an excuse to hike prices, has come down, yet the market has not seen an immediate downward review of prices.”
PRP urged the government at all levels to implement policies that will provide relief to the people, such as tackling food inflation, creating employment opportunities, and ensuring equitable distribution of resources mismanaged by many states.