Looting Incidents Escalate in Kebbi State Amid Economic Challenges.

 Residents of Kebbi State, including the state capital city of Birnin Kebbi, engaged in extensive looting of both privately and publicly owned warehouses on Saturday night in an alarming breach of security that made the state's cost of living situation worse.

The burglars successfully overcame the security personnel on duty to steal vital food supplies from a government storage facility in the Bayan Kara district.

Beyond government warehouses, nearby private warehouses and retail establishments were also targeted by the looting spree. They also looted a truck that had been loaded with mixed grains and was supposed to be distributed around Birnin Kebbi. The truck had broken down.

Following other instances in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Suleja in Niger State, this wave of stealing in Kebbi State underscores a growing trend of desperation amid challenging economic times ascribed to the elimination of petrol subsidies and the floatation of the naira.

Muhammadu Gwadangwaji, the chairman of the Bayan Kara Market food vendors association, described the gravity of the situation and noted that the youngsters' violence remained unabated by security measures, which included using tear gas and firing firearms.

Recounting the events, Gwadangwaji said, "They forced their way in and looted the government warehouse and some of our shops." The marauders set fire to a number of stores and warehouses, he said further.

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir Idris, Ahmed Idris, called the attacks "unfortunate" and said they were never seen in Kebbi State before.

Idris complained about the loss of food items worth over N5 billion that the state government had bought for its residents and loaded onto more than 200 trucks.

Asserting that precautions had been made to secure the warehouses against such instances, he continued, "It is unfortunate that those who broke into the warehouse had gone there to steal what belongs to the people of the state."

It was not possible to get in touch with the state's Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nafiu Abubakar, for a response.