The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Chucks Enwonwu has said that six policemen were killed and five police stations set ablaze by hoodlums that hijacked the #EndSARS protests in the state.
He stated this Wednesday during a news briefing in the state capital, Ibadan.
Enwonwu also paraded before newsmen nine suspects arrested in connection with the looting and arson that trailed the protests in Iseyin area of the state.
He identified the suspects as Taoreed Hamsat a.k.a Shorlex, 26 years; Tajudeen Ibrahim a.k.a Aji, 40 years; Moshood Fatai a.k.a Elewure, 39 years and Musibau Abubakar a.k.a Stainless, 21 years.
Others, he said, were Sikiru Aliu a.k.a 1414, 25 years; Fasasi Fatai a.k.a Lemon, 24 years; Isiaka Olaniyi. 32 years; Raheem Toheeb and Adeleke Akeem, 42 years.
The Oyo police boss lamented the killing of the policemen and burning of the stations.
He further disclosed that the command has charged six suspects to court over involvement in unrest in Ogbomoso.
The commissioner added that hoodlums that looted and destroyed public and private properties in the state were being trailed and would be prosecuted when caught.
Enwonwu said, “Six police officers were gruesomely murdered, five Divisional Police headquarters, police Patrol vehicles were burnt down and exhibits looted in the exhibits room with many police arms and ammunition carted away due to activities of criminal elements who capitalised on the protest to perpetrate their heinous crimes.
“Nonetheless, the Oyo State Police Command have arrested no fewer than nine suspected arsonists and looters for allegedly attacking the Divisional Police headquarters, Iseyin on Thursday 22 October, 2020 and thereafter setting the station ablaze under the pretext of #EndSARS protests that lingered for so many days.
“A team of policemen attached to the unit moved swiftly to the area and in the process, nine of the arsonists and criminal looters were arrested in connection with the crimes, while some exhibits were recovered from them.
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“Upon interrogations, the suspects confessed to the crime and also gave useful information that will lead to the arrest of other hoodlums who participated in criminal activities. Effort is on to arrest other fleeing suspects.”