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IGP Orders Crackdown: 52 Arrested for Looting and Vandalism in Ekpoma

Nuus Editor

EKPOMA — The Nigeria Police Force has restored order in Ekpoma, Edo State, following a swift crackdown that led to the arrest of 52 suspects linked to widespread looting and the destruction of public and private property.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Sunday, declaring a zero-tolerance stance against “criminal opportunism.”

The arrests follow days of unrest where mobs targeted warehouses, shops, and government facilities, carting away goods worth millions of naira and damaging critical infrastructure.

Police Reclaim the Streets

Tactical squads, deployed on the direct orders of the IGP, conducted synchronized raids across identified hotspots in the university town.

“We have successfully neutralized the threat,” IGP Egbetokun stated. “Our officers have reclaimed the streets from criminal elements who sought to hide under the guise of agitation to steal and destroy.”

The operation yielded immediate results:

  • 52 Suspects in Custody: All individuals are currently undergoing profiling and interrogation.
  • Recovery of Loot: Police recovered a significant volume of stolen items, including electronics, foodstuff, and industrial equipment.
  • Weapons Seized: Operatives also confiscated dangerous weapons used by the mobs to intimidate residents and security personnel.

No Hiding Place for Vandals

The IGP issued a stern warning to those still at large, emphasizing that the law enforcement dragnet is widening. He directed the Edo State Police Command to prosecute all indicted suspects immediately to serve as a deterrent.

“Vandalism is not protest; it is a crime,” Egbetokun asserted. “We will not tolerate any action that threatens the economic livelihood of our citizens or the stability of the state.”

Calm Returns to Ekpoma

Residents report a gradual return to normalcy, with increased police patrols visible across major intersections. Business owners, however, are counting their losses, urging the government to provide security guarantees to prevent a recurrence.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, noted that intelligence units are actively tracking the masterminds behind the coordinated attacks.