Hoodlums, Residents invade Store Housing Palliative in Kwara As Security Agents Foil Attack.

Hoodlums, Residents on Friday break into Ilorin cargo terminal the stores housing the palliatives for victims of recent flood and rainstorm as security agencies deployed to the Ilorin Cargo Terminal foil the attack by the hoodlums
Our Correspondent gathered that as officials continued the distribution of the palliatives meant for the victims, the hoodlums invaded the stores housing the palliatives as security agencies have been deployed to the Ilorin Cargo Terminal to foil the attack by the hoodlums, despite shooting into the air and release of tear gas, people still trooping into the place.
Meanwhile, The government had earlier called the attention of the security agencies to intelligence reports that some anarchists, backed by partisan interests, have plotted to break into the cargo terminal to cart away palliatives meant for victims of recent flood and rainstorm.
Reacting, the chief press secretary to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye said the government had traced the attacks on premeditated efforts to cause a total break down of law and order across the country, including Kwara State added that the security agencies are currently struggling to contain the arsonists and hoodlums.
Also reacting on the attack on cargo terminal, the Kwara State Commissioner for Communications Harriet Afolabi-Oshatimehin said attack by some hoodlums on the cargo terminal in Ilorin to prey on palliatives meant for the poor is condemnable, inexplicable, and does not reflect the good nature of the people of the state
The government said the CACOVID and the state government had since distributed majority of the palliatives to the identified vulnerable households in 15 of the 16 local government areas of the state, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Communications Harriet Afolabi-Oshatimehin.
“The remaining palliatives in the terminal, which the hoodlums preyed on until chased away by security agencies, were meant for special vulnerable groups and just one local government where names of the beneficiaries have just been delivered and officials have started distributing when the street urchins breached the wall of the facility,” the statement added.
“It would be recalled that the CACOVID and the state government had since September 23rd flagged off the distribution of the palliatives. But it was meant for specific households, as dictated by CACOVID, and so names had to be properly generated to allow for transparent and orderly distribution.
“The actions of the hoodlums are condemnable and those already arrested would face the full weight of the law. The government would not tolerate anyone hiding under any guise to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the state. The government commends the security agencies for acting with restraint in the face of provocation by the hoodlums.”
It would be recalled that the federal government had recently commenced the distribution of relief materials to victims of flood and rainstorms disaster in Kwara state.
The minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk flagged off the progmme in Ilorin, the state capital. She was supported by the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
Local government areas affected by the natural disasters are Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Asa, Ifelodun, Edu, Patigi and Moro.
Speaking at the event, the minister conveyed the sympathy of the federal government to the government and people of Kwara state over the unfortunate flood incidents that occurred in some parts of the state.
She said President Muhammadu Buhari is concerned about the flood and has directed her ministry to activate the National Emergency Management Agency to respond in providing necessary supports to the affected persons.
” It is in this regards that I am here with the Director General of NEMA. We are here with relief items approved for distribution to complement the efforts of the state government to assist the affected persons in Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Asa and Ifelodun,” Farouq stated.
Also speaking, Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, commended the federal government for the timely support to the state over the recent rainstorm in parts of the state.
AbdulRazaq specifically thanked President Buhari, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, and the Director General of NEMA for the swift response.
He also commended the three senators and members of the House of Representatives from the state for their support .
He added: “The government is also grateful for the federal government’s support to the state during the COVID-19 lockdown. We so much appreciate the gesture and I thank the Honourable Minister and her team for making it happen
“The government will ensure that these relief materials are delivered directly to the victims whose data have been captured and documented by the state government and of course the National Emergency Management Agency.
” The state government uses this opportunity to again appeal for more support for victims of the recent flooding in Patigi, Edu, Moro and other parts of the state that were affected. Farmland and properties worth several billions of naira were destroyed in the incident. The state government looks forward to federal government’s support in this direction to give more hope to our people. On our part, we have also been mobilising support for the victims within available resources.”
Items distributed to the victims included foodstuff, mattresses, wax prints,mosquito nets,nylon mats,blankets, ceiling boards, cement,roofing sheets, zinc nails, soaps and detergents.