Hoodlums stole 100 AK-47 rifles, 2600 ammunition in Lagos during #EndSARS unrest- Police committee

The committee set up by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to assess damages the force suffered during #EndSARS protests has revealed that at least 100 AK-47 and 2,600 pieces of ammunition were looted across Lagos State during attacks on 37 Police formations in the state.

In an interview with The Punch, chairman of the 10-man damage assessment committee, Yaro Abutu said 367 vehicles, 10 armoured personnel carrier, saloon cars and Hilux vans were also burnt during the unrest in the state.

Abutu said the team was taking the inventory of property destroyed in police facilities across the country with Lagos as the first point of call.

“We are taking a tour around the 17 states where burning of police facilities and killing of police personnel occurred. Since Lagos is the epicentre we decided to come to Lagos first. Thirty seven police stations were attacked in Lagos and about 30 per cent of the police infrastructure in the state has been crippled.

“Also, a lot of arms and ammunition were carted away. We are still counting and collating. In some police stations, 15 to 30 firearms and a number of ammunition were stolen. So far from our preliminary report, about 100 pieces of AK-47 cannot be accounted for and up to 2,600 pieces of ammunition are missing. This is when criminals become more aggressive whereas police equipment has been crippled. It is pathetic,” he said.

Abutu advised anyone in possession of the arms and ammunition to immediately return such items to a nearby police station or community leaders.

“One of them was returned to the Area Commander in Ajah, ACP Gbolahan. It was found somewhere and the community alerted him. The police went to pick it. If the community sees any firearm and refuses to report, the weapon will still be used to unleash terror on the population.

“That is why we are appealing to community leaders, youths and other stakeholders to be on the lookout,” he added.

After protesters were forcefully dispersed, suspected hoodlums went on rampage, attacking both government and private-owned property.