Criminals Stole AK-47 Rifles From Burnt Stations In Lagos, Oyo To Cripple Us -Police

The police in Lagos and Oyo States have said they lost some of their guns in the recent attacks against some police stations in the two states.

Recall that many police stations were looted and burnt down following the violence which trailed the #EndSARS protest all over the country.

The commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Chucks Enwonwu, told journalists on the sidelines of parade of suspects arrested in connection with attack on the police in Iseyin that many police arms and ammunition were carted away by hoodlums during these attacks.

He said the attacks on police stations were were carried out by criminals to make sure that the police did not have means of carrying out their duties any longer.

The CP said, ” The criminal elements attacked five police stations and burnt them down. Many police arms and ammunition as well as exhibits were carted away. As it is now, we are still compiling to know the number of arms and ammunitions stolen by the criminals.

“If you see any unauthorized persons carrying AK-47, alert us or contact the hunters of other vigilante groups. Those ones know how they will arrange themselves and recover the arms and bring them back. Don’t go and confront a man carrying AK-47. That firearm belongs to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“It is dangerous to be in the hands of those who were not trained to handle it. As a Commissioner of Police, I cannot just pick one and start carrying it about, I must sign for it.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos State, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, when contacted by THE WHISTLER tactically admitted that arms were stolen from the police stations attacked by criminals.

He, however, said he did not have the number of the guns stolen during the attacks.

The PPRO said, “I don’t have the number now. Nobody has that figure now.”
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, had earlier in the week said 29 police stations were attacked and 520 suspected were arrested in connection with arson, illegal possession of firearms, robbery and other criminal activities.

The CP said, ” Based on the incidences, the command swung into action realising that this is no more #EndSARS, where lives and property are lost and vandalised and burnt. We realised that the protest had been hijacked by hoodlums, so we moved in and we were able to recover some of the stolen items and arrested the perpetrators.
“So far, 520 suspects have been arrested for various offences, ranging from arson, robbery, murder, rioting, malicious damage, and unlawful possession of firearms. All the suspects we have arrested are not #EndSARS protesters and they will all be charged.”

A former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr David Omojola, when contacted said attacking police stations during protests was very disturbing.

Omojola said, “The attacks on police stations is an invitation to anarchy. In other climes, people would protest but they would not go to the extent of burning police stations and stealing police arms and ammunition.

“That is terrorism and it is no longer protest. If it is protest, people will carry placards, banners and register their displeasure about any issue but those ones attacking police stations are not protesters but criminals.

“They have been trying to recover their weapons because one thing I know is that police don’t joke with their weapons. I’m sure by now, they must have recovered some. They may not have announced it while still searching for others but I am sure they must have recovered some.”