Lagos Police, NEMA on High Alert Amid Warehouse Looting Fears

The Lagos State Police Command and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) are on high alert to prevent attacks on warehouses and shopping malls. Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the command, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday. He mentioned that security measures have been strengthened around shopping malls and government warehouses storing food items to deter potential attacks by criminals.

Recent incidents of attacks and looting of warehouses and food trucks have been reported in various cities due to the economic hardship and rising cost of living. Last week, youths stole food items from trucks stuck in traffic along Kaduna Road in the Suleja area of Niger State. They overwhelmed the truck drivers and looted bags of rice before being dispersed by soldiers. Similarly, the Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration confirmed the looting of its warehouse in Dei-Dei by FCT residents, citing economic hardship as the reason.

In response to these incidents, the FCT Police Command has arrested 15 suspects connected to the vandalism of the warehouse belonging to the Abuja FCDA. Despite these challenges, Hundeyin assured the public that the Lagos State Police Command remains committed to providing security for everyone in Lagos.