Kayode Egbetokun, Kwara State Commissioner of Police has vowed that the command will ensure all those who looted public and private properties in the state are arrested and the stolen items recovered, adding that the arrest will be a continuous exercise in the nooks and crannies of the state.
Egbetokun, who made this known during the week while addressing journalists at the parade of 144 suspects in Ilorin, the state capital, pointed out that the Police in collaboration with other security agencies will ensure no culprit is allowed to escape and will be brought to book.
“We have arrested a total of 144 people with looted items and many would be arrested because it is an ongoing process, all security agencies are out to enforce compliance and forestall future occurrence,” he said.
The police boss, however, advised those in possession of the stolen items to willingly surrender them to the police, noting that whoever returns those items willingly would be pardoned.
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The Commissioner noted that all the suspects were arrested with looted items in their possession and called on members of the public to assist the police with useful information to enable it arrest the runaway suspects.
Egbetokun, however, appealed to the parents and guardians to keep their wards off the streets, warning that anybody found wanting will face the wrath of the law.
“It is our duty to protect lives and properties in the state. Those who choose to remain with the criminals on the streets clearly made a choice of confrontation with the law enforcement agents and are at risk of the consequences of such an action,” said Egbetokun.
Meanwhile, 71 suspects were arraigned before an Ilorin Magistrate’s court for allegedly looting COVID-19 palliatives at Kwara Agro Mall and cargo terminal in Ilorin, the Kwara State.
The suspects were charged for criminal conspiracy, trespass, belonging to a gang of thieves, mischief, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, theft and disturbance of public peace. the police prosecutor, Nasir Yusuf, told the court that the suspects were arrested last Friday and Saturday at the Agro Mall and cargo terminal when they were looting the palliatives.
He says that investigation on the matter was still ongoing while he left the bail of the suspects to the discretion of the court.
