The Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested 10 suspects who on Thursday, invaded government and private establishments to loot properties worth millions of naira.
This suspected looters took advantage of the #EndSARS protest to carry out this vile act in Uyo, the state capital.
The places looted included: Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC), Anchor Insurance, De Choice Shopping Mall, L.G showroom, and Access Bank Plc and some of the items recovered included: Fourteen (14) Deep Freezers, Six (6) Refrigerators, Eight (8) flat Screen Televisions.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Amiegheme while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia on Friday, October 23, during the press briefing, commended the collaborative effort of the Army and DSS to restore order to the state.
His statement in part,
“It is with a heart full of pains that I address you today. The events of the last 24 hours has given me and every concerned Akwa Ibomite a great course for concern. As the lead Agency in internal security, we have great respect for peaceful protest and we have acted professionally during its progression in the State,” he said.
“However, yesterday, some youths with evil intentions in the guise of # ENDSARS went about vandalizing, looting and burning some Government and private property including the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC), Anchor Insurance, De Choice Shopping Mall, L.G showroom, and Access Bank Plc,”
I have visited all the said places today with my Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, DCP Auwal M. Mohammad, and have made an on-the-spot assessment of damages done.
I commend the State Government’s timely intervention through the imposition of curfew as I today went round to ensure strict compliance, and we will continue to do so.“Gentlemen of the press, am however delighted to inform you that our quick deployment of Anti-Riot Policemen in conjunction with the efforts of sister security agencies such as the Army and DSS, and the efforts of the State Government has restored normalcy in Uyo and the State in general.
The CP called on the perpetrators of these dastardly acts to desist and toe the part of peace, or be willing to bear the full weight of the law. He further added that the police command will stop at nothing to recover all the looted items.
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