President Bola Tinubu has directed NSA Nuhu Ribadu, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and DSS Director General Yusuf Bichi to collaborate with governors to target food hoarders.
Nigeria has been dealing with an increase in the cost of food goods caused by the elimination of fuel subsidies and insecurity, among other issues.
However, as part of efforts to resist the development, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris stated that Tinubu has directed the chiefs of these security agencies and the NSA to consult with governors on the problem.
“First, the National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, and Director General of State Services have been directed to work with the state governors to address the issue of those hoarding commodities,” he said following a meeting between President Tinubu and state governors on Thursday.
“At a time when the nation wants food to be distributed to the people in order to regulate prices and put food on the tables of the majority of Nigerians, commodity dealers are busy hoarding these commodities, either so that Nigerians suffer or so that they can make more money as a result.
“So, the governors and Mr President have taken this decision that security agencies will collaborate with state governors to ensure this ends.”
President Tinubu had ordered the release of grains to alleviate the soaring cost of food products, as the Federal Government considered importing food.
However, Idris stated that this will no longer be the case.
“It was also decided that there would be no need for food importation at this time in the best interests of our country.” “Nigeria has the potential to feed itself and be a net exporter of food to other countries,” he stated.
“We do not want to reverse part of the progress made in this country’s food production. What we are seeing currently is only a transient problem that will soon be resolved.”
