The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Edo state government are currently in a heated dispute over the ownership of a rice truck that was looted from a warehouse in Benin City. The conflict arose following a viral video showing residents looting rice from a warehouse in Urora, located in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, during the #EndHunger protests that took place on Thursday.
In the video, which has been widely circulated on social media, the looters are heard claiming that the warehouse from which the rice was stolen belongs to the Edo state government. The footage shows many people carrying away large quantities of rice, with each bag weighing more than 10kg. This scene has sparked controversy and criticism.
At a news conference held on Thursday, Jarret Tenebe, the acting chairman of the APC in Edo, accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of intentionally preventing Edo residents from accessing federal government aid. According to Tenebe, the video clearly shows an abandoned truck loaded with rice marked as federal government supplies but stored in what is alleged to be an Edo state government warehouse. He argued that this situation reveals a deliberate attempt by the state government to block residents from receiving the federal palliatives intended to assist them during the current economic crisis.
Tenebe described the incident as a form of economic sabotage and called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the matter thoroughly. He suggested that the state government’s actions are obstructing the distribution of vital relief supplies and negatively impacting the people of Edo.
In response to these allegations, the Edo state government has firmly denied any involvement or ownership of the warehouse in question. Chris Nehikhare, the commissioner for communication and orientation, issued a statement clarifying that the Edo state government does not store relief materials in its warehouses. Instead, he explained that the government’s feeding programs for vulnerable individuals are carried out through partnerships with religious organizations, rather than through government-owned facilities.
Nehikhare accused the APC of using the video to manipulate public perception for political gain. He stated, “The Edo state government has received reports about the looting of rice from an unidentified truck and private homes in various parts of Benin City following the #EndBadGovernance protests. The videos circulating online are reportedly from the Urora area in Ikpoba Hill, Benin City. The government does not have a warehouse in that location. This video is part of a desperate attempt by the APC to score cheap political points.”
Nehikhare further emphasized that the government’s relief efforts are managed through religious groups, including the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, and local Muslim leaders. He reassured the public that these organizations are responsible for distributing aid to those in need, rather than relying on state government warehouses.
