Protesters block truck in Edo, loot rice, vow to recover all diverted palliatives

Protesters on Thursday looted a truckload of rice at Urora community in Ikpoba-okha Local Government of Edo State.

Eyewitnesses informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the demonstrators encountered the truck parked on a road amid their protest.

Some individuals, speaking anonymously, suggested that the rice could have been Federal Government aid intended for Edo residents, which was allegedly misappropriated by local politicians.

The rice, packaged in 10kg sacks, fueled suspicions of diversion meant to benefit the community.

The protesters vowed to uncover and retrieve all palliatives intended for Edo but allegedly hidden by local officials.

Videos of the looting were recorded and circulated by the protesters. In response, Chris Nehikhare, the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, issued a statement denying any state ownership of the rice. He accused opposition parties of exploiting the situation for political gain.

Nehikhare said, “The Edo State Government is aware of the looting of rice from an unidentified truck and private residences in parts of Benin City during the ‘EndBadGovernance’ protests. The circulating videos, reportedly from the Urora axis of Ikpoba Hill, Benin, do not involve any state-owned warehouses.”