A N1 million bounty has placed in the head of embattled suspended chairman of a Delta state council, over their alleged involvement in the invasion of the Shoprite in Warri last week by thugs loyal to the council chairman.
While briefing journalists on Monday evening in his office, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, has declared wanted the embattled suspended chairman of Uvwie LGA, Henry Baro and the chairman of Central Motor Park, Effurun, Napoleon Odibu over their alleged involvement in the invasion of the Shoprite in Warri last week by thugs loyal to the council chairman.
It was widely reported that the invasion left many dead, several others injured, and saw the looting of goods worth millions. It was revealed that the thugs loyal to Baro were joined by hoodlums who took advantage of the invasion in order to loot the mall.
According to reports, the incident was sparked by a scuffle between the suspended chairman and two Navy personnel attached to Shoprite. The Divisional Police Officer of Ekpan Division, received a distress call from the Operation Manager of the Warri Shopping Mall indicating that the mall was under attack by hoodlums.
"Consequently, patrol teams from various divisions in Warri were swiftly mobilised to the scene. Once the miscreants became aware of the policemen, they ran off. One of the hoodlums, who was identified as Godspower Ijoesgaga, was arrested.
Preliminary inquiries revealed that the miscreants damaged and looted various items such as laptops and handsets from the shopping complex.
A million naira gift will be given to anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of Mr. Henry Baro and Mr. Napoleon Odibu, the chairman of Central Motor Park Effurun both of whom are currently on the run," the commissioner stated.
The CP also added that the bandits responsible for the looting took to the streets of Warri in protest shortly after the incident, and while they paraded through the town, they fired their weapons sporadically, and accidentally shot and killed one Mr. Afor Emero.
He added that since the incident, 18 suspects have been arrested and are in police custody.
The wanted chairman in a swift reaction, alleged that the State police command was being used by his political detractors to undo him, adding that he has lost confidence in the Delta State Police Command.
He called upon the Inspector General of Police to wade into the matter to ensure that justice was done. He insisted that he never sent anybody person, or group of persons, to attack and loot the Effurun Shoprite.
"The attack on the Shopping Mall was regrettable and never intended. I did not call people to attack Shoprite. Shoprite is a project I hold dear to my heart and I could not have mastermind its destruction. The situation was hijacked by traders on the roundabout who are not residents of the Local Government Area (LGA)," Mr. Baro stated.
No comments:
Post a Comment