340 suspected palliative burglars arrested in Kano, Plateau

• Motive for looting beyond hunger, says Lalong
• Benue dissociates from items found in Kano

About 340 persons have been arrested in Kano and Plateau state for allegedly vandalizing private and public facilities and carting away valuables in the wake of the EndSARS protests in the states.

The police in Kano apprehended 31 suspects, while the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Jos arrested and arraigned over 307 in various courts in the Plateau State capital.

Besides, the police also displayed property worth millions of naira recovered from the suspects. They include 27 gas cylinders and fire extinguishers, four washing machines, 11 refrigerators, six generating sets and two grinding machines.

Addressing the press at the Bompia Police Headquarters in Kano yesterday, the Commissioner of Police, Habu Sani, disclosed that the arrest and recovery followed reliable intelligence.

The suspects in Plateau were charged with looting and vandalism of warehouses used for keeping the COVID-19 palliatives donated by CACOVID and the Federal Government.

While the state government claimed that the materials were donated by the Federal Government through the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq, on October 16, CACOVID said the palliatives were distributed long before the #End SARS protests.

HOWEVER, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau has stated that the recent looting of warehouses and destruction of public properties in the state goes beyond hunger, arguing that those behind the dastardly act have ulterior motives.

The governor, who disclosed this on Tuesday when the National Assembly members from the state visited him, said apart from COVID-19 palliatives, people’s houses were vandalised and government’s property destroyed.

He pointed out that those arrested would be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others who might want to follow similar negative footsteps in the future.

MEANWHILE, Benue State has denied involvement in the alleged diversion of CACOVID palliatives discovered in Kano State.

The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Culture, Mrs. Ngunan Addingi, stated this yesterday while briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Makurdi.

Over 1,958 cartons of noodles from Benue State valued at over N4 million were discovered in Singa market in Kano.

They were said to be among the 3,850 cartons from Dangote Foundation to be distributed to vulnerable persons in the state.
KADUNA State Government has relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed amid the looting of COVID-19 palliative warehouses and other facilities.

The Commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Samuel Aruwan, stated yesterday that from Thursday, October 29, 2020, citizens could move and pursue their lawful business from 6a.m. to 6p.m., adding that “movement is restricted between 6p.m. to 6a.m.”