Hoodlums steal relief material for flood victims in Adamawa

YOLA — Confusion enveloped Yola, Adamawa  State capital as hoodlums attacked one of the major stores where relief  materials for flood victims in the state were kept. Eye witness account told Vanguard that moments after officials of the Red Cross International were about distributing the materials, the  hoodlums in  their dozens cordoned off the entire vicinity where they had a field day carting away the materials.
Report said after the state deputy governor, Bala Ngillari, and other dignitaries departed, the thugs numbering about 20, armed with bottles, sticks  and machetes  descended on the distribution venue.
An official of the state emergency agency who pleaded anonymity  said: “We saw hell as these thugs  attacked us  with sophisticated weapons. They carted away all  the items.”
Confirming the attack, the state chairman of the Red Cross  who is also  the permanent secretary in the state Ministry of Environment, Alhaji  Mahmood Abubakar, said the items carted away by the hoodlums included  kitchen sets, shelter kits, detergents, blankets and mosquito nets  donated by the society’s head office.
He said it was callous for anybody to rip-off internally displaced  persons, IDPs, in their predicament and warned that  government would deal decisively with any person involved in such  embarrassing act.
“It is unfortunate that undesirable elements can resort to  such  heinous act. They stole the relief items including those  meant for  Fufore local government areas. This will not deter us in  helping those  in need.
“We are still following due process in getting the criminal.  Parents  should monitor their children and wards,” he said.
Though when contacted the State Police Public Relation Officer, DSP  Muhammad Ibrahim, said the command is yet to be briefed on the  matter.
While receiving the relief materials the state deputy  governor had  earlier cautioned residents of flood prone areas in the  state to  prepare for the  impending flooding this year.