Fintiri: Any house harbouring looted food items will be demolished

Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, says plans to roll out palliatives are still ongoing despite the looting of the government warehouses by residents.

On Sunday, the Adamawa police command confirmed the arrest of over 100 persons allegedly involved in stealing food and non-food items from government warehouses.

Following the incident, the governor announced a curfew in the state, noting that residents should abide by the restriction and remain cooperative if approached and questioned by security personnel.

In a broadcast in Yola, the state capital, on Monday, Fintiri said despite the incident, the government will ensure that palliatives reach every household in the state. 

The governor directed the “hoodlums responsible for the looting” to return all items stolen from the warehouses to the nearest police stations before noon on August 1.

Fintiri announced that he will sign an executive order to conduct house-to-house searches, adding that any house where any of the stolen goods is found will be demolished.

“Fellow citizens, as a responsible government, we are sensitive to the harsh economic realities and are putting down measures to cushion the effect of hardship on all of us,” he said.

“But this has to be done holistically in a manner that would carry every citizen along.

“It is our fervent wish that the palliatives reach every household in the state. While we continue to investigate and prosecute these hoodlums.

“We must collectively cooperate to deal with these hoodlums who have found it convenient to break into our warehouses and loot at their own convenience.

“I will sign an executive order for a house-to-house search to commence at the expiration of the deadline.

“Part of the provisions of the order is a sanction that will attract withdrawal of C of O and if necessary, demolition of every house that harbours any of the stolen property.”