By Ayodele Oni
Niger state government has clarified report of an alleged blockage of foodstuff supplies from the northern part of the country to the south.
A video had gone viral on Saturday in which some trucks loaded with food items such as tomatoes, pepper, yams and others on their way to southern part of the country were hooked up at a village in Niger state with some persons in uniform ordering them to return.
However, the Niger state government has distanced any of its officials from the order, saying it was an attempt to invite crisis.
The Government’s statement reads: “The attention of the Niger State Government has been drawn to a recorded video where a number of heavy vehicles parked, believed to be their usual resting place after a long journey.
“This has been a practice of all heavy vehicle drivers for over 50 years; there’s always a spot where they all converge to rest, pass the night, wash their vehicles, etc.
“The story that the vehicles carrying food items have been asked not to take food items to the southern or eastern part of the country but to return to the northern part is untrue.
“The liars, who did the video should’ve known that an operation of this magnitude would require a task force, indeed, along with security men.
“Their attempt to incite crisis has failed. Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State did not give such an order.
“As the entire country passes through a challenging period, these unscrupulous characters have decided to chance upon the situation as an opportunity for mischief and political profit.
“To the characters responsible, know that, firstly, God is in the know of your machinations and will judge you accordingly. Secondly, the Government will trace the perpetrators like before and will be hard on both the authors and those responsible for amplifying the lies.
“We cannot permit mischievous individuals to deepen the anxiety of our people and exacerbate an already difficult situation. The Government will come down hard upon these criminals and see they are made to face the full wrath of the law.”
