The ease and unrestrained looting of businesses and warehouses across many states in Nigeria after the crisis that engulfed the country during the #EndSars protests has been described as a bad omen to the country. This warning was handed down by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture saying that efforts to project Nigeria as favourable and an investment friendly destination to investors have become futile with the ongoing looting and destruction of properties.
The National President, NACCIMA, Hajiya Saratu Aliyu, lamented that business operations in the country had been seriously impacted as billions had been lost to arson and looting in Lagos and other parts of the country, in a statement. The statement titled ‘An urgent call for calm and frank dialogue to end #EndSars crisis and ongoing violence’ was made available to our correspondent on Friday.
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“NACCIMA’s efforts as a national chamber to help project our country as a favourable and investment friendly destination to our business partners abroad, and other foreign investors over the years is now suffering a serious setback,” she said. According to her, the situation of things is disheartening especially at a time Nigerians are struggling with the negative impact of COVID-19 on the economy. She said it was important not to aggravate the economic woes of Nigeria any further.
While extending condolences to immediate and extended families of those who lost their loved ones in the violence, she called for calm, and dialogue and an immediate end to violence, killings, looting and wanton destruction of properties. She called for a de-escalation of the crisis, which started with #EndSARS protests by Nigerian youths.
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“Unfortunately, a hitherto peaceful, legitimate protest has been hijacked by thugs and miscreants, resulting in attack on businesses, destruction of government properties, burning of police stations and correctional centres to free prisoners,” Aliyu lamented. She condemned the wanton destruction of properties and looting by hoodlums who had hijacked the peaceful protests.
The NACCIMA president said, “We cannot sit by and allow the looting and other criminal acts by hoodlums to go on unchecked.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry