The Edo State Police Command says it has arrested 116 people suspected to have been involved in looting warehouses, jailbreaking, and burning of police stations during the #EndSARS protests, and that they have recovered some of the looted materials, arms, and ammunition as well as various other items.
The Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo, made the disclosure at a briefing with journalists on Wednesday with an assurance to Edo people to protect their lives and property.
Kokumo said that it has become necessary to reclaim the public space and restore confidence with the people after hoodlums hijacked peaceful protests to loot public and private warehouses, burning police formations and other facilities.
The Commissioner of Police said that the Command was, however, able to arrest some of the arsonists, looters and prison escapees.
Ahmed Saleh, a cattle seller in Benin City, the state capital, is one of the suspects alleged to have looted goods from a warehouse in the state’s capital but he denied the allegation saying that he was picked up by the army on his way from a business transaction while three prison escapees narrated their involvement in crimes after their escape from prison last Tuesday.
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The police has, however, promised to leave no stone unturned in arresting and prosecuting criminals who broke the peace of the state.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe