Adamawa State is reeling from public outrage following revelations that displaced victims of recent flooding were given rotten and expired food items as part of government relief efforts.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has condemned the act in the strongest terms, promising that every official or contractor involved will face severe consequences.
The controversy erupted on August 9, 2025, when a viral video surfaced showing internally displaced persons (IDPs) holding sacks of pasta and rice with a foul stench, visibly spoiled, and marked with long-expired dates. The items had been distributed just days earlier as part of an official palliative programme for communities devastated by the floods.
Health experts have warned that consuming such tainted food could lead to mass food poisoning, severe stomach infections, and potentially fatal complications. Humanitarian workers and rights advocates have labelled the incident as “criminal negligence” and “an insult to victims’ dignity,” urging immediate prosecution of all those responsible.
The flood disaster, which claimed at least 25 lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira, left thousands of families homeless. Initially, many victims expressed gratitude for the relief materials provided, but shock and anger replaced appreciation when the truth emerged about the food’s condition. “We lost everything to the flood,” one victim lamented. “Now they want to kill us with poison in the name of help.”
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Iliya James, said Governor Fintiri’s outrage was triggered by the disturbing video. He expressed disbelief at the development, noting that during the early days of distribution, the food items he personally inspected appeared to be fresh and safe. “What has happened is shameful and unacceptable,” James declared. “The governor will ensure that no one who played a role in this escapes punishment.”
Investigations are now focusing on the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Humanitarian Services, alongside the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), both of which were directly involved in the relief supply process.
Civil society organisations have called for sweeping reforms to prevent such scandals in the future, including strict quality inspections, transparent procurement procedures, and dedicated hotlines for victims to report unsafe items.
For many in Adamawa, this incident has exposed deep flaws in the state’s emergency aid chain, undermining public trust and raising urgent questions about accountability in humanitarian interventions.