The Borno State Police Command has announced the arrest of 97 suspects involved in acts of murder and vandalism of public property worth millions of naira. The arrests were made during the two-day nationwide protests in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Council areas.
During a parade of the suspects last Saturday in Maiduguri, the Commissioner of Police, Yusufu Lawala disclosed that 91 pieces of evidence, comprising seven Russian flags, bags of fertilizer and several office furniture, were recovered from the suspects. He noted that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, had taken proactive measures to curb and prevent breakdown of law and order.
The Commissioner explained that some juvenile delinquents, taking advantage of the nationwide protests, committed harmful acts of vandalism and treason. In addition to vandalizing public property, some protesters, including minor children, attacked the state mechanical workshop as well as the office complex of the Borno State Traffic Management Agency (BOTMA) along Baga Road.
Regarding the murder case, Lawal reported that one of the arrested suspects killed a tricycle driver and buried his body the same night in the metropolis. This murder added another level of gravity to the already tense situation.
Among the arrested suspects are seven social media influencers, accused of monitoring cyberspace during the protests, inflaming tensions by calling on their followers to take up arms and provoke violence across the state. The influencers are also accused of insulting senior government officials, as well as traditional and religious leaders in the state.
A total of 83 suspects were arrested at different locations in the metropolis for setting fire to public and private property and looting about 91 items along Baga Road. The commissioner added that the World Food Programme (WFP) warehouses and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) facilities were also vandalized, with food items and furniture stolen.
Some of the suspects were arrested after they smashed windows of vehicles and burnt used tyres on major roads in Maiduguri, causing considerable damage and disrupting traffic.
In response to these developments, the police chief urged members of the public to report any suspicious activity in their communities, in order to strengthen security and prevent future crimes.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings