Speaking at a press conference at the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, Omoike clarified misconceptions surrounding the programme. He emphasized that the rice distributed by the state government was not re-bagged federal supplies but purchased with funds from the state government. This program, now in its second phase, was designed to provide relief to vulnerable Christian groups and is supported by a 2 billion naira grant from the Edo State Government.

Omoike recounted a meeting earlier this year with Governor Godwin Obaseki, who expressed concern about reaching out to vulnerable citizens affected by the economic downturn. Following this meeting, the Christian Feeding Programme was established, with the first phase seeing the distribution of 60,000 bags of 10kg rice across various regions of Edo State.

In Edo South, 27,000 bags were distributed through local churches, while Edo North and Edo Central received 18,000 and 15,000 bags, respectively. The second phase, funded by another 1 billion naira, began in July and aimed to reach an additional 56,250 individuals across all 18 LGAs, including churches not previously covered.

Rev’d Osagie Ehrunmwunse, Secretary of the CAN Implementation Committee, provided further details about the looting incident. A truck carrying rice for the programme broke down en route from Ekpoma. During efforts to secure the rice, hoodlums looted the supplies. Ehrunmwunse clarified that the truck belonged to a logistics company and that the rice was intended for various vulnerable groups, including Seventh-Day Adventists, Latter-Day Saints, orphans, and widows.

Omoike expressed relief that no one was harmed during the incident but lamented the spread of misinformation, stressing that the rice was not from federal supplies but specifically purchased for the Christian Feeding Programme by the Edo State Government.