New Telegraph

#EndSARS: Navy arrests 41, recovers looted items in Lagos

The Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday said it had arrested 41 people for partaking in various criminal acts, including looting and attacks on innocent citizens in Lagos State, during the #EndSARS protests.

The Commander, BEECROFT, Cdr. Ibrahim Shettima, who made this known to newsmen on Friday in Lagos, said the recovered items included: vehicles, household appliances, industrial equipment, food stuff, clothes, jewellery and bicycles. Shettima, who was represented by Commander Andy Zidon, the Base Operations and Acting Executive Officer of NNS BEECROFT, said: “In the course of the operation, 41 individuals were arrested for partaking in various criminal acts, including looting and attacks on innocent citizens of Lagos State.

“They have been handed over to the Nigerian Police today (Friday). Furthermore, a large number of looted items were recovered at various locations across our Area of Operations and evacuated to the Base. “These items include: vehicles, household appliances, industrial equipment, food stuff, clothes, jewellery, bicycles estimated at over 100 million Naira.”

The commander said that NNS BEECROFT was working with the Lagos State Government in order to handover the items to be returned to the rightful owners. “In fact, a large truck and Mini-Bus were also discovered loaded with looted items about to be taken out of state,” he said. Shettima said during the unrest period, the Base conducted not less than 200 active patrols and responded to not less than 50 distress calls from citizens and organisations. He said: “Around October19, Lagos State plunged into a civil unrest characterised by riots, looting and reported widespread criminal activities by hoodlums and miscreants.

“The NN 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 AOR for the NN.” He said that 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. Shettima said NNS BEECROFT also deployed personnel to Tincan Island Port and Apapa Wharf to safeguard those critical national assets.

“Furthermore, additional personnel were deployed to secure all NNPC installations at Tarkwa Bay Island, including Terminals/Tanks Farms and the Atlas Cove Jetty. “Harbour Patrols were conducted around the Ports and Lagos Anchorage to prevent miscreants from attacking visiting merchant vessels,” he said.

Shettima said the NNS BEECROFT also assisted in the securing of the Nigerian Port Authority Headquarters at Marina after the building was invaded by hoodlums who looted and put fire to the building. He said the Base, in conjunction with NPA security, also recovered a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV stolen from the Headquarters, saying that the vehicle was in the Base for safe custody. He said the NNS BEECROFT and NN would continue to work with all groups, individuals and sister services to ensure complete restoration of peace, law and order.

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