End Sars.. Navy Arrests 41 Suspects For Looting, Vandalism In Lagos

 

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT have arrested 41 suspects for their alleged involvement in looting properties during the outbreak of violence across Lagos State.

Among the suspects were those alleged to have vandalised malls, private shops and houses around Surulere, Apapa, Ijora and environs with goods worth over N100m recovered.

Parading some of the suspects Friday, the Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Ibrahim Shettima, said the Navy also recovered a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) looted from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) headquarters that was set ablaze as well as a truck loaded with various looted items including electronics, kitchen and home appliances, bicycles, auto spare parts, fabrics, clothes and shoes, COVID-19 palliatives, among others.

Shettima who was represented by the base’s acting Executive Officer (XO), Commander Andrew Zidon said some of those arrested were minors and were released to their parents after screening.

The Nation gathered that two other SUVs were stolen from NPA while many others were burnt in the fire which the Navy responded to and rescued eight NPA officials.

According to Shettima, the base conducted over 200 active patrols and responded to more than 50 distress calls from citizens and organisations from October 19.

He said: “Beginning from around October 19, Lagos State plunged into a civil unrest characterised by riots, looting and reported widespread criminal activities by hoodlums and miscreants. The Nigerian Navy responded to the crisis in an effective and timely manner to help ensure the return of normalcy within its Area of Operations.

“This operation was conducted under the Lagos State Security architecture code named OP MESA which designates, Apapa, Orile, Ijora, Costain, Surulere, Mile 12, Amukoko etc as the Area of Responsibility for the Nigerian Navy.

“In the course of carrying out our task, the base conducted patrols and took all necessary measures within the ambits of the law as well as Internal Security Standard Operating Procedure for the Armed Forces of Nigeria to help restore peace and order. This necessitated working with sister services as well as other Law enforcement agencies including the Nigerian Police.

“In the course of carrying out our task, the base conducted patrols and took all necessary measures within the ambits of the law as well as Internal Security Standard Operating Procedure for the Armed Forces of Nigeria to help restore peace and order. This necessitated working with sister services as well as other Law enforcement agencies including the Nigerian Police.