President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of over 100 metric tons of assorted food items from the strategic reserve and the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria as a short-term response to the rising food shortage in the country.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to journalists at the State House after a meeting of the Special Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention on Thursday.

Idris also informed that the government has proposed to embark on import of whatever shortfalls may be experienced after the release of the food commodities.

The Minister said the government will mete out appropriate measures on food hoarders, adding that emergencies require emergency measures to ensure food is available to Nigerians.