By Harry Awurumibe, Head, Abuja Bureau
Desperate to get food to eat during the ongoing lockdown occasioned by the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, some residents of Lagos and Ogun states as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja have resorted to self help by attacking vehicles carrying food items on the road.
A Lagos-based business owner, Chief Mathew Ngubo who witnessed one of such incidents in the Lagos Mainland area said that it has become a daily occurrences in the city for hungry residents to attack vehicles conveying food items.
Ngubo whose company is reputed for installation of telecommunications and security equipments for governments and individuals said the situation is getting out of hands.
“You can verify from anybody in Lagos. As you walk on the streets, eyes are on you as if they intend to attack you. People live in fear, coupled with no food and no money.
“Severally people have been begging me for food, within the first two weeks, now it is extended to another two weeks. Just wait, you will hear more crimes reported”, he concluded.
Another Lagos resident who pleaded anonymity told Prompt News that, “a Volkswagen bus, at Agege was carrying Loaves of Bread, as it got to the U-turn at the bus stop under the new bridge, hungry people attacked the driver and made away with all the loaded loaves of bread”.
Meanwhile, Prompt News saw a video trending online in which a trailer (truck) conveying food items meant for palliatives in the FCT was yesterday attacked and foodstuffs carted away by hungry residents who do not have patience for the authorities to distribute the items to the “poorest of poor” whom the food items are meant for.
Our correspondent can confirm that such incidents have been recorded in the Gateway State, Ogun and other states of the federation where relief or palliative materials have been taken to as hungry residents rush the food items and in the process destroyed many of the goods.
