By Gr
ace Chigbu
In the wake of recent events in Abuja, where a warehouse was looted by hungry residents, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has come forward to clarify that the facility in question did not belong to them. The incident, which occurred in the Gwagwa area of Abuja, saw desperate individuals breaking into a storage facility and making off with stored food items, including bags of maize and other grains.
According to reports from residents in the area, youths initiated the break-in during the early hours of Sunday, with neighboring communities such as Jiwa and Karmo joining in the looting frenzy. However, NEMA’s spokesman, Mr. Manzo Ezekiel, was quick to dispel any confusion regarding ownership, stating, “This is to clarify that the looted warehouse does not belong to NEMA. However, the agency sympathizes with the owners of the looted facility.”
In response to the incident, NEMA’s Director-General, Mr. Mustapha Ahmed, has issued directives to Zonal Directors and Heads of Operations to bolster security measures in and around NEMA offices and warehouses nationwide. These directives aim to preempt any potential security breaches at NEMA facilities across the country.
As the aftermath of the looting unfolds, it’s crucial for authorities to maintain transparency and accountability while addressing the underlying issues that led to such desperate acts. Additionally, communities must come together to find sustainable solutions to ensure that no one is left hungry or without basic necessities, especially during times of crisis.
While the clarification from NEMA regarding the ownership of the looted warehouse may bring some clarity to the situation, it underscores the pressing need for effective governance and support systems to address the root causes of such incidents and prevent their recurrence in the future.
