By Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz, Regional Correspondent
The North East Commodity Association (NECAS), and Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), have alleged that no fewer than 110 tractors were carted away by looters in Adamawa in the wake of #ENDSARs protests.
NECAS is incorporated in Nigeria to provide among other services tractor leasing and mechanization service for farmers.
It could be recalled that, in defiance of the curfew imposed by Adamawa State government, looters have extended their activities to private businesses, agricultural storage facilities and government offices.
An official of the North East Commodity Association (NECAS), who is also state chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Adamawa state chapter Mr. Stephen Maduwa disclosed this on Tuesday while fielding questions from newsmen in Yola.
Maduwa said ”A group of young men broke into the NECAS warehouse in Kofare Industrial Area and rolled away several brand new tractors down the streets.
‘’As I am talking to you we are assessing the havoc wreak by these looters; but I can confirm to you that about 110 our tractors were carted away though police and other security operatives and vigilantes are helping us in tracking down the looted items.
‘’ Not only tractors, during this looting spree seedlings, fertilizers and other farm implements meant to be distributed to farmers for the dry season farming have all been carted away by looters,’’ he said.
He is worried that the trend will adversely affect the federal government’s Anchor Borrowers programmes targeted at supporting farmers to ensure food sufficiency in the country.
‘’ With this unruly act, food sufficiency in the northeast can no longer be guaranteed.
” This is no longer the #EndSARS agitation by our youths. Hoodlums have taken over everything. This may lead to hunger in the country because of the looting of our warehouses.
” We have been supporting the federal government’s Anchor Borrowers programme to support farmers but our warehouses were looted, tractors, fertilizers, seedling and so many farming implements carted away by the looters. All the commodity associations in Adamawa state have suffered and it is very unfortunate.” He said.
CBN Intervention
With this setback Maduwa was worried that farmers and the associations may have challenges in repaying their loans to the Central Bank of Nigeria and is therefore calling on President Muhmadu Buhari and the Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele to act swiftly.
” I’m calling on the president of the federal republic of Nigeria and the Central Bank governor to please set up a high powered delegation to come and investigate and also ascertain the damage done to all the commodity associations.
” These inputs and implements are not given to us free, it is a loan and we are not federal government agencies. So we want them to act so that we can know better how to repay the input suppliers and the loan itself. Because if this action is not taken it will lead to food shortage in the country,” he added.
When contacted, police spokesman in the state DSP Suleiman Yahya Nguroje had confirmed the arrest of 155 suspected looters as normalcy was restored.
Nguroje said, ‘’ Normalcy is gradually returning and so far 115 suspected looters have been arrested.
‘’ We thank residents because many are assisting security operatives in recovering the looted items, including tractors though some have since been dismantled,’’ said he.
