3rd April, 2022
By Adejoke Adeleye, Abeokuta
The Ogun State Police Command said it has arrested 13 people suspected to be arsonists for their roles in setting ablaze a hotel where men of Nigeria customs lodged.
The police, in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the suspects were arrested following a distress call received by the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole that a smuggler’s vehicle believed was being chased by men of Nigerian Customs knocked down a motorcycle rider and that the victim died instantly.
“However, based on the unfortunate incident, some hoodlums went berserk and started vandalizing vehicles of innocent passers-by. After setting ablaze some vehicles, the hoodlums moved to a popular hotel in the area where officers of Nigerian Customs used to lodge and started looting and vandalizing the hotel.
“No fewer than thirteen arsonists were arrested on Friday 1st of April 2022, in Itori area of Ewekoro Local Government Area for their roles in the wanton destruction of innocent people’s properties following an accident that claimed the life of a motorcycle rider.
“The suspects were part of those who went on a rampage when a smuggler’s vehicle whom they believed was being chased by men of Nigeria customs knocked down a motorcycle rider and the victim died instantly.
“The hoodlums immediately went berserk and started vandalizing vehicles of innocent passers-by. After setting ablaze some vehicles, the hoodlums moved to a popular hotel in the area where officers of Nigerian Customs used to lodge and started looting and vandalizing the hotel.
“Immediately a distress call was made to the police, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole, deployed men of a special squad to the scene to collaborate with policemen from Ewekoro and other adjoining stations to bring the situation under control.
“On getting to the scene, the hoodlums who attacked the policemen by throwing stones at them were eventually subdued and thirteen among them were apprehended.
“The commissioner of police, who was at the scene for on the spot assessment has vowed to make examples of those arrested for others to know that it is barbaric to take laws into one’s hands.
“He, therefore, directed that others who partook in the dastardly act must be hunted for and brought to book.”