No fewer than five persons were feared killed on Sunday 30 July, 2023 in Adamawa State, as thousands of residents invaded government and private warehouses in search of food.
Also, no fewer than 45 persons were arrested by security agents called in to restore normalcy as Governor Ahmadu Fintiri imposed a 24-hour curfew.
As early as 9am residents broke into the warehouses located at PZ and Kwanar Waya areas to cart away food items including rice, noodles, seasoning and palm oil.
However, military, mobile police and other security operatives were mobilized to the warehouses and other areas to normalize the situation.
A resident of the area who does not want to be named told reporters that security forces deployed to the area had successfully dispersed the hoodlums “Mobile policemen and soldiers were drafted to disperse the mob. From where I was, I could hear sound of gunshots and perceive the pungent smell of teargas.The combined team of police and soldiers has dispersed the crowd,” he said
In reaction to the looting, Governor Fintiri imposed a 24 hour curfew on the state via a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou,
According to the statement, “The Governor of Adamawa State, the Rt. Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has declared a 24-hour curfew on the state, effective immediately Sunday 30th July, 2023.
“Governor Fintiri said the curfew followed the dangerous dimension the activities of hoodlums had assumed across the state capital as they attack people with matchet and break into business premises and homes carting away property. With the curfew imposed, there will be no movement throughout the state. Only those on essential duties with valid identification would be permitted to move around during the period of the curfew.
“The Governor is appealing to citizens and residents of the state to comply with the directive, adding that any person found contravening the order would be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.”
No fewer than 45 persons have been arrested by security operatives in connection with looting, according to the Adamawa State Police Command’s Spokesman Suleiman Nguroje.
But Nguroje could not confirm casualty figures.
However, sources said no fewer than five persons were killed in during the incident.
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