Residents of Akure, the capital of Ondo state, found themselves engaged in a widespread looting spree of food items and grains from a truck that encountered a mechanical fault at a popular junction known as the cultural center along the Ondo express road. The fully loaded truck, branded with President Bola Tinubu's name, was soon overrun by locals eager to secure essential provisions amidst mounting economic hardship.
Eyewitnesses described how individuals from various walks of life, including petty traders, artisans, drivers, and commercial motorcyclists, swiftly descended upon the truck upon discovering its contents. "How they got to know the content still surprised me. The truck developed a mechanical fault and before we knew it, the residents forced it open," remarked one witness, noting the predominantly grain-based items emblazoned with Tinubu's branding.
Despite the looting, remnants of the food items were observed strewn along the roadside, serving as a stark reminder of the desperate circumstances prompting such actions. Social commentator Ibidapo Adelusi swiftly condemned the incident, urging law enforcement agencies to pursue and apprehend the perpetrators. "We know there's hunger and hardship in the land but this is a crime against fellow humans. The police should not hesitate to fish out these thieves," Adelusi remarked.
Efforts to obtain a response from the police spokesperson in Ondo, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting, as authorities remained silent on the incident. With tensions high and questions lingering about the adequacy of government interventions to address the root causes of food insecurity, the incident underscores the urgency of comprehensive strategies to tackle poverty and ensure the welfare of all citizens in the face of mounting challenges.
