Residents of Akure, Ondo state capital, on Monday, engaged in widespread looting of food items and grains conveyed by a truck into the state, Peoples Gazette can report. 

The truck was overpowered after it developed a mechanical fault at one of the popular junctions known as the cultural centre along the Ondo express road. 

The Gazette learnt that the fully loaded truck was conveying food items in the cartoons branded in President Bola Tinubu’s name. 

Several witnesses who confirmed the development said those who attacked the truck and also looted its contents included petty traders, artisans, drivers and commercial motorcyclists. 

“How they got to know the content still surprised me. The truck developed a mechanical fault and before we knew it the residents forced it open. 

“They began to bring out the items in the pack which are mostly grains like rice and garri branded in President Tinubu’s blue colour, name and logo,” a witness said. 

However, remnants of the food items were observed on the roadside in footage circulated on Monday night. 

A social commentator, Ibidapo Adelusi, immediately condemned the action of the residents, saying the police should go after the perpetrators. 

“We know there’s hunger and hardship in the land but this is a crime against fellow humans. The police should not hesitate to fish out these thieves,” Mr Adelusi said. 

The spokesperson for the police in Ondo, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, could not be immediately reached for comments when contacted by The Gazette. 

A message seeking reaction was yet to be delivered as of the time of filing in this report.