The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong of Akwa Ibom State has stated that the police had begun recovery of items looted by the hoodlums, with “the cooperation and collaboration of informants from the communities”.
The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State on Friday announced the arrest of 10 suspects for their alleged involvement in Thursday’s looting and destruction of public and private properties in Uyo.
Among the items recovered from the suspects were four water dispensers, 14 deep freezers, six refrigerators, four air conditioning units, six flat-screen televisions, three gas cookers, 16 bags of rice, one printer. and chairs
Addressing newsmen at the Police Command Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, the Commissioner of Police, Amiengheme Andrew, said the arrests were made possible through the “quick deployment of anti-riot policemen in conjunction with the efforts of sister security agencies such as the Army and the DSS”.
He commended the state government for its efforts which helped in restoring normalcy in the state.
“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,” Andrew said
Meanwhile, the Government of Akwa Ibom on Saturday declared a dusk to dawn curfew in the state in reaction to the looting and destruction of properties by hoodlums who hijacked the #EndSARS peaceful protest.
The government had initially announced a curfew which lasted from 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, to noon on Friday, October 23, but later extended it till 7 a.m.
on Saturday, October 24.
The new curfew which will last from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily with effect from Saturday.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong, said in a statement, that the decision to impose the curfew was informed by a comprehensive security assessment by law enforcement agencies in the state.
“Though normalcy has returned to the entire state, especially, Uyo, the capital city, after the expiration of the curfew which was imposed from Thursday night till Saturday morning, there is a prevailing need to sustain the gains of the curfew by increased strategic surveillance and holistic law enforcement.
“To this end, the governor has directed that effective today (Saturday), a daily dusk to dawn (8 p.m. – 7 a.m.) curfew be imposed state-wide, till further notice, to help check the movement of the remnants of the undesirable elements who created chaos in our state few days ago.
“It is also the governor’s directive, gleaned from the agreement by all youth groups in the state, that all demonstrations and protests be suspended forthwith.
“For emphasis, there will be absolute cessation of movement of persons except those on essential duty, who must bear proper identification. Any person who is apprehended within the period of the curfew will be arrested and prosecuted.
“Additionally, citizens are advised to report any suspicious movement of items suspected to be loots from the raid on business premises, or the assembly of strange or known persons, suspected to be plotting an attack on private or public property, to the security operatives, or call our information hotlines 08129778512, 09018596989,” the commissioner said.
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