Navy recovers N100million worth of looted items from 41 arrested hoodlums.

Chinazor Megbolu

The Nigerian Navy has arrested and paraded 41 people for partaking in various criminal activities during the #EndSARS protests in Lagos.

The nation’s security agency on Friday paraded the suspects for looting and attacks on innocent citizens in Lagos State, during the #EndSARS protests.

The Commander, BEECROFT, Commodore Ibrahim Shettima, told newsmen in Lagos that items recovered from the suspects are; vehicles, household appliances, industrial equipment, food stuff, clothes, jewelleries and bicycles.

Shettima, who was represented by the Base Operations and Acting Executive Officer of NNS BEECROFT, Commander Andy Zidon 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 NNS BEECROFT was collaborating with the Lagos State Government in a bid to help handover the items so as to return them 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,” Shettima said.

He also maintained that during the protests, the Base conducted not less than 200 active patrols and responded to not less than 50 distress calls from citizens and organisations.

“Around October 19, Lagos State plunged into a civil unrest characterised by riots, looting and reported widespread criminal activities by hoodlums and miscreants.

“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.

Shettima noted 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.

He, however, averred that 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,” Shettima said.

Additionally, he buttressed that the NNS BEECROFT also assisted in the securing of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Headquarters at Marina after the building was invaded by hoodlums who looted and set the building on fire.

Shettima further hinted that 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 pointed out that 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