UPDATED: Clarification Issued on Alleged Looting of Government Warehouses Amid Economic Hardship

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has refuted reports of its warehouse being looted in Abuja, clarifying that the warehouse in question does not belong to the agency. This rebuttal was conveyed through a statement by the NEMA Press Unit on Sunday, shared on the agency’s official communication platform.

According to the statement, NEMA expressed sympathy with the owners of the looted facility and emphasized the need to prevent security breaches at its facilities nationwide. Consequently, the Director General, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, directed Zonal Directors and Heads of Operations to enhance security measures in and around NEMA offices and warehouses.

In a related development, the Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration confirmed the looting of its warehouse in Dei-Dei by residents amidst the prevailing economic challenges. The spokesperson for the ARD Secretariat, Zakari Aliyu, disclosed that the Secretary had visited the warehouse, witnessing extensive looting and vandalism, including the removal of roofs and windows.

Further actions were outlined, with the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, and the FCT Mandate Secretary, Agric Secretariat, Lawan Geidam, scheduled to visit the facility for a detailed assessment on Monday. Aliyu assured that comprehensive information would be provided following their visit, acknowledging the severity of the incident and its impact on the affected area.