Tinubu orders security agencies to target those hoarding food

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and Yusuf Bichi, the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS), to work with governors in going after those hoarding foodstuff.

This was one of the decisions from the President’s meeting with state governors in Abuja on the current food crisis in the country.

Mohammed Idris, the Information Minister, after a meeting between Tinubu and state governors on Thursday, stated that security agencies will coordinate with state governors to stop the hoarding of commodities.

He said, “First, the National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, and Director General of the State Services have been directed to coordinate with the state governors to look at this issue of those hoarding commodities.”

Idris told reporters: “At this point that the nation requires food to be brought out to the people so that we can control prices and put food on the table of most Nigerians, commodity sellers are busy hoarding these commodities so that Nigerians will suffer or they will make more money as a result.

“So, the governors and Mr President have taken this decision that security agencies will collaborate with state governors to ensure this ends.”

Idris said Nigeria has the potential to feed itself; therefore, there is no need for the government to import food as suggested.

He said, “A decision has also been taken that in the interest of our country, there would be no need for food importation at this time. Nigeria has the potential to feed itself and be a net exporter of food items to other countries,” he said.

Idris added, “We do not also want to reverse some of the progress we have seen in terms of food production in this country. What we are seeing now is just a temporary difficulty that will soon go away.”