Police arrest 344 suspected hoodlums in Edo, Adamawa

The Police Command in Edo State, on Wednesday, announced that it had arrested no fewer than 106 suspects for alleged arson, looting and breaking in during the recent #EndSARS protests in the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Johnson Kokumo, made this known during a media briefing on the activities of the command during the protests.
He also disclosed that 10 other suspects were arrested for escaping from lawful custody, while another 10 were arrested for other offences.
“The command wishes to brief members of the public through the media, on the EndSARS protest, which was consequently hijacked by hoodlums who went berserk, wreaking havoc majorly in Benin metropolis.
“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.
“The stolen arms, regrettably, will be unleashed on the members of the public.
“However, as the looting and destruction were taking place, the police and other security agencies mustered their acts together and were able to arrest some of the arsonists, looters and escapees,” he said.
The police commissioner said that five AK 47 rifles, two locally-made exhibit guns; one locally-made gun, one Lexus 330 SUV, with registration number KWL 205 AZ and one Toyota Camry saloon car, with registration number LSD 231GD, were recovered from the suspects.
He also listed other exhibits recovered as two bags of 50 kg. and one 25 kg. of rice and 24 crates of assorted drinks
Also, Adamawa State Police Command arrested 238 suspected hoodlums who either vandalised or looted government and private properties after hijacking the #EndSARS protest, Mr Olugbenga Adeyanju, Commissioner of Police in the state said on Wednesday in Yola.
He said items recovered from the suspects included 35 motorised tractors, 28 hand tractors, 22 hand tractor hoes, nine vehicles, more than 600 bags of fertiliser, and 18 bags of Maize.
He said the cooperation of other security agencies in the state made the arrests and recoveries possible
“As I speak, we have 238 male and female suspects; 184 apprehended for breaking and looting government, private properties and corporate warehouses, while 54 others were arrested for violating the curfew imposed by the state government,’’ he said.
The commissioner said the suspects would soon be arraigned.
Adeyanju called on Adamawa people to report any suspicious person or hoodlums at the nearest Police station.
Hoodlums attacked and looted properties at the Nigeria Customs Service warehouse, at the Federal Road Safety Corps Park, at the Primary Healthcare Development Agency and also at NEMA offices.
Other places attacked were the COVID-19 isolation centre, the North East Commodity Association’s warehouse and other warehouses at Demsawo, Nyako Quarters, Upper Benue and the Red Cross office, all in Yola.