Govt officials mum as tension grows and security deployed to Niger palliatives’ warehouses

In Niger State, the story appears different. At least, for now. The government has beefed up security at its warehouses to prevent looting, but it appears to be a tinder box waiting to explode.

The state government has beefed up security around the storehouses in Minna, the state capital where food and other items are kept to ease the pain of the Covid-19 lockdown.

The security operatives drawn from all agencies are on at the warehouses, looking battle-ready and rearing to go.

Some of the warehouses are the Niger State Supply Company located at the Old Airport road, and Agricultural Development Projects (ADP) store located at Maitumbi,
Temporary Hajj Camp at Tudun Fulani.

The decision to beef up security around these warehouse was informed by security reports that some youths had mobilized and were desperately searching for where COVID 19 palliatives are being kept in Minna for possible invasion.

No government official, including members of the state COVID 19 TaskForce, was willing to comment on the presence of heavy security at storehouses.

State lawmakers had launched an investigation into the activities of the state TaskForce on COVID 19 where it discovered a secret warehouse where food and other items donated by individuals and corporate organizations as palliatives were stacked.

The Niger State House of Assembly (NSHA) investigation that led to the discovery followed a public outcry on the shoddy and partial manner of distribution of the palliatives, as well as the alleged mismanagement of funds for procuring the palliatives.

Headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Metane, the TaskForce on COVID 19 has been accused of allegedly mishandling its activities.

The NSHA investigating Committee chaired by Mallam Malik Madaki Bosso, after two weeks of sitting visited the warehouses, and was shocked to find food items that were being allegedly hoarded.