How hoodlums looted COVID-19 relief materials in Lagos

Facts have emerged about how armed hoodlums looted a COVID-19 relief material store within the secretariat of Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), in Lagos on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

Contrary to the denial by the Lagos State Government that no such took place, an official of the LCDA, who is an aide to the Council Chairman confirmed the incident.

The aide, (name withheld), told TheNigerian that the commissioner for Tourism, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile–Yussuf, brought bags of rice and other food stuffs to be distributed to the Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Councils (CDCs), the league of Imams, members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other residents who were around when she brought the foodstuffs.

“She asked those she met on the ground to queue up so they all can have access to the food. Then we discovered that the hoodlums came and tried to mob her to collect what she brought. She then applied wisdom to prevent violence.” Said the aide.

According to the source, the Commissioner was reported to have suspended the distribution and returned the remaining of the items to the Council’s secretariat in the evening of Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

She had to suspend the distribution because she could see that if she continued, the hoodlums would damage and destroy too many things including the school she used.

The next day, Thursday, April 2, 2020, the hoodlums mobilized in large numbers, went to the secretariat and began destroying doors and offices to gain access to the store where the Commissioner had instructed the food be kept for distribution.

The aide said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Okeodo Police station and the Area Commander, Area P command saved the secretariat staff from being harmed and the building from being further damaged by the violent mob who brought cutlasses, knives and other weapons to fight anyone or force who stands in their way.

As at press time, the Lagos State Police command PRO had not yet responded to the text message he requested from our reporter.

According to some residents who pleaded anonymity, the incident experienced by the Okeodo Local Council would soon become the fate of all and any Local Government through which the Lagos State government intends to share items meant to feed Lagosians during the covid-19 lockdown order because, as they claimed, many Lagosians are hungry and they would not have patience for the manner in which the state officials are sharing the food items.

The COVID-19 relief operation was designed to bring some respite to feed the hungry during this period of the 14-day stay at home order by the Federal Government as it battles the coron virus.

The food items are being distributed via the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to provide respite to residents living in communities within their jurisdictions.