Panic as suspected criminals escape from SARS custody in Bayelsa State

Suspected criminals detained by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Bayelsa State, on Monday escaped from the custody.

The spokesman of the state police command, Asimin Butswat, confirmed the cell-break.

He explained: “At about 0200hrs on November 7, 2017, the incident duty officer of the SARS, while on routine cell check discovered that 10 suspects escaped through the ceiling of the detention facility.

“The policemen immediately cordoned off the facility and re-arrested three out of the suspects. The profile of the suspects has been circulated to our intelligence sources and efforts have been intensified to re-arrest the remaining suspects.”

He urged the public not to panic and to volunteer useful information that may assist the police in arresting the fleeing suspects.

He gave the identity of the three suspects who were arrested in Yenagoa, as Theophilus, 22yrs, New Year, 21yrs and Jamilu Buhari, 27 years.

But, there was panic in the area following information that the fleeing suspects were more than 10.

According to some residents, the hoodlums who are mostly armed robbers might unleash mayhem on them.

According to the police, five of the suspects were arrested yesterday in Yenagoa and Agbura after a man-hunt ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Asuquo Amba‎.

Two of the suspects were arrested at the Agbura community where they were hiding, while three others were picked in the open field of an abandoned company.

The security guard at the abandoned company reportedly called the emergency number of the police before their arrest.

The Guardian leant that a notorious criminal cut through the iron protector in the toilet of the makeshift detention centre
Before breaking out through the ceiling.

A source added that the incident was discovered when a security official at the Yenagoa Local Council Area, raised the alarm when he saw some persons jumping into the premises.

Some residents blamed it on the poor condition at the detention facility located along the road.

They urged the state government and the police to relocate the facility.