The Organised Private Sector (OPS) has voiced concerns over the surge in incidents of truck looting, where suspected hoodlums target vehicles transporting food and raw materials. This worrisome trend raises the specter of industries nationwide facing shutdowns, warned members of the OPS on Monday. The caution comes following reports of attacks on trucks ferrying building materials and spaghetti in Ogun and Kaduna states.
Responding to the growing crisis of food inflation and the overall cost of living, miscreants have increasingly targeted trucks and warehouses, many owned by manufacturers and other OPS affiliates. Last week, youths looted food items from trucks stalled in traffic along the Kaduna Road in Niger State’s Suleja area. Similarly, hoodlums ransacked a warehouse belonging to the Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration in Dei-Dei, Abuja, making off with rice, grains, and other relief supplies. In another incident, soldiers thwarted an attempt to loot a private warehouse in the Idu Industrial Estate, Jabi, Abuja.
Gabriel Idahosa, President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed deep concern over the economic challenges driving such lawlessness, fearing that continued attacks could spell closure for companies. He stressed the urgent need to address the escalating unrest and looting, attributing these criminal acts to hunger and desperation.
Highlighting the substantial financial losses incurred by major manufacturing firms due to looting, Idahosa urged concerted efforts to halt the trend of violence and criminality. He warned of dire consequences if the situation remains unchecked.
