Bags of Rice Donated to Flood Victims in Akinima Looted by 'Foodlums'

The last has not been heard of the flood disaster in Rivers State. Last we heard is that the Rivers State Police Command has launched an investigation into the looting of about 20 bags of rice meant to alleviate the condition of persons affected by flood in Ahoada and its environs. 

As you may already know, about 20 bags out of 200 bags of rice donated to flood victims in Ahoada West LGA by the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) were reportedly stolen by hoodlums. The association had visited Akinima on the 26^th of October to donate relief materials to flood victims. Chairman of the association and wife of the Inspector General of Police, Asta Idris, had arrived Akinima in Ahoada with her entourage to provide some succor to the victims of the disaster. The relief materials included bags of rice, cartons of noodles, mattresses, pillows, cartons of detergents, and buckets. 

Reports have it that some bags of rice were looted in Akinima. The plan, according to sources was that after the items are shared out to the wards (the wards referred to here cannot be determined), then focus would be shifted to the IDP camps to ensure that those who are not in the camps get some assistance too. However, this was truncated as representatives of the wards were attacked on the way back to their wards by some hoodlums, or need I say ‘FOODLUMS’ who carted away some bags of rice. 

The incident was confirmed by the chairman of IDP camps, Isimbi Morris, who said despite efforts to protect the items, it was impossible to prevent the hoodlums from carting away the bags of rice.

Some of the victims in Akinima were annoyed over the incident, stating that only 3 bags of rice were given to them, and they are yet to receive other items which were donated alongside the bags of rice. Listen to some of the flood victims 👉  Flood victims

PS: This whole incident reminds me of a personal encounter I had in March. I had accompanied the wife of the senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Mrs Bariyaah Abe, to some communities in Khana LGA of Rivers State, who visited some churches in commemoration of the 2018 Mother's Day. She also used to opportunity to continue her empowerment programme for widows of the Rivers South-East senatorial district. 

So there were bags of fertilizer, shovels and bowls being given out to the women to aid them in farming. In one of the communities (name deliberately withheld), I observed some young boys moving in groups just around the area the event was holding. They had a particular gait and at once, I knew trouble was brewing. Towards the end of the ceremony, the ward leaders had a list which they used to confirm those in attendance. As the ceremony ended, there was pandemonium. The 'hovering boys' were seen running away with bags of fertilizer. The shovels were being dragged with even elders who were supposed to command some level of respect from the boys. All hell was let lose and we all ran for safety. We had no choice but to leave the community before things escalated. 

I haven't bothered to ask what transpired after then, but I hear it was quite chaotic. Even people that were not suppose to have those items ended up with them. 

The thing is, our society lacks systems and structures that work. The traditional system has collapsed and those at the grassroots are suffering for it. The traditional leader of Akinima was invited for questioning, but stated he was not involved in the entire process. These issues in the communities are escalating to the larger society, even as crime cannot be controlled any longer. Question is, where do we go from here?

These incidents point to the level of criminality in our communities, fueled by hunger and unemployment. Come to think of it, Christmas is around the corner and as usual, the price of rice will definitely skyrocket in no time. So those who have partaken in this act of looting rice at Akinima are either going to share it among themselves for personal use, or for sale. The strange thing is the donation was done by Police Officers Wives Association, so the Police should have been actively involved in the distribution process. Are they going to tell us the outcome of the investigation? Let's wait and see.