The Ekiti State government says some of the food items looted from government facilities are not fit for consumption and should not be mistaken for Covid-19 palliatives.

Residents had on Friday thronged some warehouses including those of State Emergency Management Agency and Agriculture Development Programme in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital to cart away bags of food items.

Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation Akin Omole however warned that the items looted could be harmful if consumed.

“Some people even made away with pre-fermented corns preserved for planting. All these items are poisonous and not fit for consumption. Mr. Omole said in a statement on Saturday. “We, therefore, appeal to our people not to consume these items because they can kill.’’

Agriculture and food security commissioner Olabode Akitoyi also corroborated Mr. Omole’s claim, warning that most of the items carted away contained chemically-treated seeds meant for planting.

“They are not suitable for consumption,’’ he declared.

NAN reports that the looters defied a heavy downpour in Ado-Ekiti on Friday night to storm the warehouses.

Many travelled long distances either in their private vehicles or in taxis or on motorcycles to get to the warehouses to loot.

Soldiers drafted to the warehouses were late as most of them were almost empty before they arrived.

Some residents believe that the looters were encouraged by similar incidents earlier reported in Lagos and Osun, where bags of rice, beans, spaghetti and other consumables stored in government warehouses were looted.