126 suspects were arrested in connection with the arson and looting during the #EndSARS protests were on Wednesday paraded by Edo State Commissioner of Police Mr Johnson Kokumo
Kokumo, while parading the suspects, lamented that the protests were consequently hijacked by hoodlums and mobs who went berserk wreaking havoc majorly in Benin metropolis.
He said, “As you are all aware, the hoodlums burnt down police stations, carted away arms and ammunition, raped women in some areas, killed policemen on their gory path to destruction; freed convicted criminals and felons, looted businesses and extorted innocent Nigerians.
“The Command is currently pained by the havoc caused by the mobs and hoodlums, masquerading as protesters who were united by a common criminality.”
While regretting that the stolen arms will be unleashed on the members of the public, Kokumo revealed that, “as the looting and destruction was taking place, the Police and other security agencies mustard their acts together and were able to arrest some of the arsonists, looters and escapees”.
Giving the breakdown of the arrested suspects, the Edo police boss said, 28 suspects were arrested in connection with the looting of the Nigeria Customs Service Warehouse along WAEC Road, Off Benin-Auchi Road, Aduwawa Benin City, 16 in connection with Blessed Doris-Dey Warehouse, along the Benin-Agbor Road, Benin City and 45 suspects in connection with the looting of the Central Medical Stores, Okhoro, also in Benin City.
Others are the looting of Olam Nigeria PLC, a Private Warehouse, Located at Abico Junction, Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City where 13 suspects were arrested While 10 escapees from Benin/Oko Correctional Centres were also rearrested
CP Kokumo also disclosed that on the 26/10/2020, while the situation was subsiding, some unscrupulous elements in Jattu, Edo State were hobnobbing on how to break into the Town Hall. They were however arrested by some vigilantes and policemen of Jattu Police Division before any damage could be done.
“Also, on 27/10/2020, at Oliha Market Junction, Benin City, two armed robbers named Michael Peter ‘m’ and OZ Esi ‘m’ were arrested by officers of the Nigerian Army, attached to 4 Brigade Headquarters, Benin City for allegedly attempting to snatch a Honda Civic Car with Reg. No. AA-261-AY from one Mr. John Destiny of No. 40 Agbonlahor Street, Aduwawa Benin City.
“Part of the suspects arrested are four hoodlums; Charles Okoeguale ‘m’, Ojo Osamiemwenfan Igbinoba ‘m’, Gift Osayiwu ‘m’ and Osasumwen Imanawe ‘m’, who were seen with Police rifles, uniforms and other accouterments carted away by hoodlums who invaded the several police stations during “ENDSARS” protest.
The police Commissioner gave the number of exhibits recovered in all the operations as Five AK 47 rifles two locally-made exhibit guns, one locally-made gun, one Lexus 330 SUV with Reg. No. KWL-205-AZ, one Toyota Camry Saloon car with Reg. No. LSD-231-GD, two bags of 50kg and one 25kg of rice and 24 crates of assorted drinks.
