By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

An attempt by some youths to loot food items stored at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) warehouse located along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway was on Saturday foiled by the combined effort of the army and the police.

The youths had stormed the warehouse as early as 6:00 a.m. to break into the facility that has a stockpile of food items donated by various individuals and organisations to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and victims of this year’s flood disaster that has ravaged six local government areas in Anambra State.

The invaders had used tyres to block the road to prevent traffic flow but the prompt arrival of security operatives keeping watch over the warehouse saved the situation.

As the youths surged forward to invade the warehouse, the police arrived and used teargas canisters to disperse them.

Though government officials volunteered to distribute one truck load to them, the youths objected, demanding to be allowed to enter the warehouse.

Shortly after, some trailers arrived and the food items were loaded into them and taken to another location.

Many of the youths complained bitterly that they were not allowed to carry the items to cushion the effect of their own sufferings.