RIMAN bemoans hoodlums’ attacks on rice mills

Chinazor Megbolu |

The Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN) has berated hoodlums attacks on rice mills under the guise of #EndSARS protests.

In a statement signed by the National Chairman, RIMAN, Mr. Peter Dama, the group strongly condemned the recent attacks and looting of some rice mills by hoodlums who disguised as protesters.

Dama noted that the acts of destruction and looting of the rice mills were “condemnable, highly regrettable and insensitive”.

He further explained that Shamed Rice Mill Yola, Glams Foods, Lagos and several other mills across the country were attacked and looted by hoodlums.

Dama noted that due to the attacks, tons of rice, paddy, furniture, machines, equipment and operational vehicles at the premises of the affected rice mills were destroyed and looted and parts of the buildings set ablaze, stressing that the affected rice mills are currently in rubbles.

“RIMAN is therefore shocked and sad at the level of havoc that was carried out on these rice mills and other government and private properties across the country.

“The resultant impacts on these rice mills will create some deficits in our members contribution to the National Food Security and Rice Value, as the affected rice mills will be shut down for a while at this critical period with huge debts to pay,” he said.

He, however, urged the federal government to urgently assist rice millers with funds towards rebuilding and restocking in order to commence their operations.

Dama added that most of its members took bank facilities to answer the call by the government to add to National Food Security deficit, particularly on rice self-sufficiency in Nigeria.

He also pleaded with the government to provide security coverage to rice mills under threat to forestall future recurrence.

He also sent a goodwill messages to those whose valuable assets, milling equipment, were destroyed and looted, even as he called on the government to compensate them so as to resume operations.

Dama also called on the Nigerian youths to sheath their swords and embrace dialogue with government whenever they have grievances, to forestall miscreants from hijacking their well-intended protests meant to move Nigeria forward.