Food Looting: Police, NEMA Beef Up Security At Lagos Warehouses, Malls
The Lagos State Police Command has increased security measures at shopping malls and government warehouses storing food items in the metropolis to prevent potential attacks by troublemakers.
Moreover, officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the Southwest region have also heightened security around their warehouses in the area.
This action aims to prevent any assaults on government warehouses and shopping centers by individuals looking to exploit the current difficulties and hunger in the country to gain unauthorized access to facilities where food supplies are kept.
It is worth noting that a warehouse owned by the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory was recently breached by criminals, resulting in the looting of a truck carrying food supplies by some residents of Dei-Dei in Bwari Local Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Following a security meeting with Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), Heads of Tactical Teams, Area Commanders, and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Mrs. Adegoke Fayoade, the Lagos State police commissioner, announced that plain-clothes policemen have been deployed to monitor shopping malls and key government installations in the state.
Additionally, Fayoade has instructed all area commanders and their respective Divisional Police Officers to be on red alert to prevent any disturbances in any part of the metropolis.
The Rapid Response Squad (RRS), operatives of the state’s anti-crime squad, have also been tasked with monitoring government warehouses and shopping centers where food and beverages are sold.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed these measures during an interview with journalists on Wednesday.
Hundeyin told Daily Trust that the command is committed to fulfilling its duty of ensuring security for all individuals.
Hundeyin stated that despite the command’s lack of anticipation for such an attack, the deployment was a preemptive action taken to prevent any acts of violence in the state.
Additionally, Ibrahim Farinloye, the South West Territorial Coordinator of NEMA, mentioned that they had received instructions to enhance security at all government installations in the region.
“All critical stakeholders are on standby for any attempt by anyone. Even though there isn’t a single food item in the warehouses, we are taking precautionary security measures to protect both human and other assets of the federal government from any unforeseen circumstance,” he said
