Traders Union Warns Members Against Buying Looted Palliatives

The National Association of Nigeria Traders has warned its members not to buy or sell any item stolen or looted by hoodlums.

The warning follows reports of massive destruction and looting in some parts of the country.

NANTS President, Ken Ukaoha said this in a statement issued in Abuja.

He directed members of the association to report any suspected seller or buyer of such items to the market leadership or the nearest security agency.

He said, “No member of NANTS must be found culpable or associating with such stolen items, as any trader or market found in possession of the items will be excommunicated or made to face the full wrath of the law.

“NANTS wishes to reiterate the need for all members to be detached from all forms of the ongoing brigandage and destruction of property of both individuals and government.”

He urged members to be security conscious and guard or close their markets, where necessary, to avoid any possible looting and arson.

Ukaoha called on government to take measures to arrest the situation and ensure that the looting did not escalate to markets and shopping malls.

He also urged government to investigate the unfortunate development, with a view to identifying the culprits and making them face the law so as to serve as deterrent to others.

The effects of the wanton attacks on police stations and officers, which started in Lagos State in the past week amid the #ENDSARS protests, have appeared in the form of an anarchic chaos: an unprecedented looting spree in which looters are operating almost unchallenged across Nigeria.

Following the widely condemned shootings at protesters in Lekki, Lagos State, on Tuesday, which witnesses said were by Nigerian soldiers, hoodlums started looting and razing businesses and public facilities in the state on Wednesday.

But the looting has taken an anarchic dimension in many other Nigerian states, forcing a number of governors to declare a curfew.