In response to the ongoing food crisis, President Bola Tinubu has instructed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director General of the Department of State Service, Yusuf Bichi, to collaborate with governors in apprehending individuals engaged in hoarding essential food items.
This directive follows a meeting between the President and state governors in Abuja to address the current food scarcity plaguing the nation.
Protests erupted in Niger State last week due to the skyrocketing prices of food items, with many attributing the situation to hoarding by certain intermediaries.
In Kano State, authorities seized 10 warehouses reportedly stocked with hoarded food items.
Addressing the issue, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed that Tinubu tasked the security heads with coordinating efforts with state governors.
“The National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, and Director General of the State Services have been instructed to work closely with state governors to tackle the issue of food hoarding,” Idris stated after the meeting.
“As the nation grapples with the need to ensure food availability for its citizens and stabilize prices, it is disheartening to see some individuals engage in hoarding practices, either to exploit the situation or for personal gain,” he added.
Regarding the government’s stance on importing food to alleviate the crisis, Idris emphasized that such measures are unnecessary, as Nigeria possesses the capability to sustain itself and even become a net exporter of food items.
“We are confident in our ability to overcome this temporary setback and maintain our progress in food production,” he concluded.
