Plateau: 307 Palliatives Looters Face Prosecution As Security Agencies Go After Suspects

At least 307 people alleged to have participated in the looting of warehouses containing COVID-19 relief materials are to face prosecution before seven courts in Plateau State.

This comes as the Plateau government has mandated security agencies in the state to go after other suspects and recover materials looted from the warehouses.

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THE WHISTER recalls that viral social media videos and photos had shown massive looting of a warehouse in Jos as thousands of residents were seen carting away sacks and cartons of food items.

Following the incidents, the state’s security council met on Monday at the Government House, Rayfield, in Jos.

Governor Simon Lalong’s director of press and public affairs, Makut Macham, said the meeting was chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Professor Danladi Atu.

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The council agreed to strengthen the curfew imposed on the state by beefing up check-points in Jos South and Jos North Local Government Areas.

Macham said, “The Council warned members of the public from consuming some of the looted food items because they are dangerous for human consumption as they have been chemically treated for preservation. Members of the public were further advised to be aware of these dangers and not to patronize the product of these looters.”

The state government also denied hoarding COVID-19 palliatives meant for the distributing to residents of the state.

It said the recent #EndSARS protests had halted distribution after the relief materials were delivered to the state by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Macham added that, “As at 26th October 2020, some of the looted and vandalized properties include: SEMA Warehouse (Old Nitel Bukuru), PRUWASSA, PADP (Dogon Dutse Jos), Mineral Museum (Angul D, Bukuru), ASTC Vom, Plateau Publishing Company, SUBEB (Dogon Dutse),Government Technical College Bukuru, Ryom Local Government Secretariat, School of Home Economics Vom, Jos foods, Jos Trade Fair (Polo), Private Residence of former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara.

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“Others such as Grand Cereals Bukuru, State and Federal Secretariats and Private residences of some individuals have also been threatened.”

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