The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to deploy security operatives to all government-owned warehouses in Abuja.
This decision was revealed by the Minister of State of the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, in a statement issued on Monday by her Special Adviser on Media, Austin Elemue.
The move comes in response to the invasion of a warehouse located in Gwagwa-Tasha, belonging to the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of the FCTA, by hoodlums on Sunday. This incident occurred amidst the ongoing food crisis affecting the nation.
Expressing her disappointment during a visit to the warehouse on Monday, Mahmoud described the break-in as not motivated by hunger but by criminal intent.
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“This is truly a dire situation, and it is not something that the Administration will take lightly. All those involved must be held accountable. We need to take action. Additionally, this incident highlights the need to strengthen the security around all our warehouses where food is stored,” she remarked.
Mahmoud explained that the break-in occurred as the administration was restocking its warehouse to comply with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to distribute palliatives to all six area councils in the FCT.
She further stated that the FCTA would identify and prosecute those responsible for the incident, adding that the administration would renovate the warehouse in due time.
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“We conducted distributions twice and were preparing for the third when these trucks arrived to offload food items and were attacked, injuring some personnel on duty.
“This incident does not reflect positively on us as representatives of the nation. Therefore, we will take action regarding this event. We will reconstruct, not just renovate, this warehouse, including all damaged offices and gates,” she affirmed.
The FCTA’s decision underscores its commitment to ensuring the security of government assets and maintaining public order in Abuja.”