Malik Yahya/
Soldiers have been deployed in the cities of Yola and Jimeta in Adamawa State, as crowds of young people raided government owned grain warehouses and food stores.
Large crowds reportedly targeted government warehouses and grain stores, with the chaos spreading rapidly to local markets, where privately-owned food shops were also raided.
Witnesses told Newsmakerslive.org that the crowds were scattered by soldiers, who were deployed in the two cities.
There are no reports of casualties yet, but a photograph circulating on social media alleges that a young man was a victim of gunshot wounds.
In response, the state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew effective immediately, according to a press statement by Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.
The governor noted the “dangerous dimension” the situation had taken, with people being attacked and businesses and homes being raided.
Mary Ali, a civil servant in Jimeta town, reported the looters did not spare many shops around the market, including her cousin’s private warehouse.
“It was like the EndSARS uprising when government warehouses and offices were looted. But this was bad because those involved didn’t spare many shops around the market,” she said.
The curfew, according to the government spokesman, “allows only those on essential duties with valid identification to move around during the period.”
“Governor Fintiri urged citizens and residents of the state to comply with the directive, warning that any violators would be arrested and face legal consequences.”
The Adamawa State Police Command also announced that it had arrested 44 suspects in connection with the incident.
The command wrote in a tweet, “The Adamawa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of fourty four persons involved in the activities of stealing food and non food items in the government warehouses.”
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