BENIN CITY – The Police Command in Edo, on Wednesday, announced that it had arrested no fewer than 106 suspects over alleged arson, looting and breaking in during the recent #EndSARS protests in the State
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Johnson Kokumo who made this known during a media briefing on the activities of the Command also disclosed that some fleeing suspects who invaded the Benin Correctional Centre, and freed inmates from the prisons and burnt police stations in Benin metropolis were also being currently hunted by the Police Command.
According to the Police Commissioner, ten other suspects, besides the 106, were arrested for escaping from lawful custody, while another ten 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 231 GD, were recovered from the suspects.
He also listed other exhibits recovered as two bags of 50KG and one 25KG rice and 24 crates of assorted drinks.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo has vowed that despite the arrest of the 106 suspects, the Command will leave no stone unturned to arrest and prosecute other fleeing suspects involved in the jail break of the Benin Correctional Centres and other forms of criminality during the #EndSARS protests.
While maintaining that several of such suspects were on the Police wanted list, he specifically mentioned that one Kadiri Godwin, 38; Joseph Odiahi, 43; Jacob Izibi, 36; Musa Mohammed, 25; and John Oyailo, 40 were among the fleeing suspected arsonists whose involvement in the invasion and liberation of inmates of the Benin Correctional Centre along Sapele Road and the Oko Medium Correctional Centre along Airport Road, the Police would not sweep under the carpet.
It will be recalled that on Monday, October 19, 2020, hoodlums suspected to have hijacked the #EndSARS protests in Benin City invaded the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Benin Custodian Centre and freed over one thousand inmates.
Few hours after the invasion of the Benin Correctional Centre, Sapele Road by the suspected hoodlums in the guise of #EndSARS protests, the Oko Medium Correctional Centre was also attacked.
