CEM REPORT, AGROFOOD | Dr Alaba Olusemore has expressed the disturbing nature and the economic consequences of the recent attacks on trucks conveying consumer goods (food items) to different location in the country. With a second attack with a week, it is gradually becoming a trend that needs attention.
Dr. Alaba Olusemore
At about 3.15pm on Friday, a trailer full of spaghetti belonging to BUA was completely looted while the driver packed along the road to observe prayer at Dogarawa, a settlement located on the outskirt of Zaria along the expressway.
This is coming barely one week after hoodlums hijacked trailers loaded with foodstuffs in the Suleja area of Niger State, stealing bags of rice and other food items amidst widespread hardship in the country. The trailers were said to be heading for Abuja from Kaduna when the thugs blocked the road and made burnfires on the highway.
The Analyst at Continental Economy Magazine calls the action criminal with far-reaching consequences for our economy saying that such action exacerbates the scarcity and inflation problems already plaguing us.
“These attacks, where goods are looted, are not only criminal but also have far-reaching consequences for our economy. They exacerbate the scarcity and inflation problems already plaguing us”; Olusemore said.
Citing the last week attack on a convoy of trucks carrying essential goods to a remote community, he warns that allowing such action to continue under any guise will only serve to harm everyone, including the targeted beneficiaries. He calls on law enforcement agencies to step up efforts to protect these vital supply chains.
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“We must not allow this to become a Robin Hood scenario, where theft is justified in the name of standing up for the common man. Such actions only serve to harm everyone, including the very people they purport to help.
“A case in point is the recent attack on a convoy of trucks carrying essential goods to a remote community. The looting left the community in dire need, further straining their already limited resources. This incident highlights the destructive nature of these attacks and the urgent need for decisive action to curb them.
“It is imperative that law enforcement agencies step up efforts to protect these vital supply chains. Additionally, communities must be vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Together, we can put an end to this dangerous trend and safeguard our economy and livelihoods”.
