The Organised Private Sector (OPS) has raised alarms over the increasing cases of looting targeting trucks transporting food and raw materials across the country, News About Nigeria reports.
Members of the OPS cautioned that if this persists, it could lead to the shutdown of industries nationwide.
This warning comes as miscreants recently attacked trucks carrying building materials and spaghetti in Ogun and Kaduna states.
In recent weeks, a surge in attacks on trucks and warehouses, predominantly owned by manufacturers and OPS members, has been witnessed.
The rising food inflation and high cost of living crisis in Nigeria have contributed to the this.
Last week, youth stole food items from trucks stranded in traffic along the Kaduna Road in Niger State.
On Sunday, hoodlums targeted a warehouse owned by the Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration in Dei-Dei, Abuja, looting rice, grains, and other relief items.
The President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Gabriel Idahosa, expressed his concerns, stating that the ongoing economic hardship could lead to anarchy.
He stated that attacks on businesses, whether public or private, are indiscriminate during a state of anarchy. According to him, this poses a severe threat to companies and could potentially lead to shutdowns.
Idahosa noted that major manufacturing firms in the country recorded significant losses in the 2023 financial year.
He warned that these companies might decide to close down operations and lay off workers due to the escalating looting of their products.
The chairman of the Kwara/Kogi Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji AbdulRahman Bioku, attributed the looting to the widespread hunger and frustration among the populace.
He urged the government to address transportation issues, provide raw materials to manufacturers, and ensure security for farmers.
The executive secretary of Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce, Alhaji Abdulrahman Maku, condemned the looting, urging the police to treat perpetrators as criminals.
He called on state governments to fulfil promises to distribute food palliatives to prevent further suspicion and looting.
Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, said that the government needs to urgently address the root causes of social issues and the high cost of living.
