Aftermath of Oyigbo crisis: Arewa Consultative Forum Threatens To Stop Food Supply To Rivers

…As Prices of Food Stuffs Soar in Rivers Markets

BY IBRAHIM BAKARE

The Arewa Consultative Forum has threatened to stop the supply of foodstuff to Rivers State due to the incessant attacks on its members by suspected members of IPOB who pass through the Eastern States, especially Aba, Abia State.

Usman Ibrahim, Chairman of ACF in the state disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Port Harcourt .

File photo of Market scene

Stranded trucks at boundary between Rivers State and Abia

Usman noted that they were attacked by suspected, IPOB members who burnt their goods and trucks during the protest that rocked some parts of the state.

“Some of our members were killed here in Rivers State and other parts of the South-South. How can we supply food into these parts of the country? There is no way because our lives and property are in danger,” Usman stated.

Eyewitnesses said trucks carrying foodstuffs coming into Rivers State along Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway were either burnt or looted. Those still daring to come into Port Harcourt complain of being trapped at the boundary between Abia and Rivers State due to the 24 hours Curfew imposed on Oyigbo.

A major dealer in Cereals, Anthony Ikechi ,narrated the frustrations in getting food items through Aba-Oyigbo axis into Port Harcourt.

According to him ” To get the trucks to pass through our Eastern States to Rivers State we spent a lot to pave our way. The cost of food items have hit the roof. For instance, a Custard bucket of Irish Potatoes formerly sold for N1,500 is now sold for N3,500. Onions are not available in various markets in Port Harcourt. Same with beef, tomatoes,a bag Nigerian rice N28,000, while foreign rice is sold at N35,000, a small basin of Garri that was sold at N3,000 now goes for between N4,800 to N5,000.