Following the prison break in Benin, Edo state capital and wanton destruction of some federal facilities, the Inspector General of police said twelve suspects have been arrested and five Ak47 rifles have been recovered.
The inspector General of Police have also ordered for the release of special anti-riot police officers to safeguard critical national infrastructure in different parts of the country.
A statement made available to newsmen through the Force Public Relations Officer DCP Frank Mba reads as follows;
“The IGP notes that twelve (12) suspects have been arrested in connection with the attacks and arson on Police Stations in Benin, Edo State. Five (5) AK47 rifles earlier stolen from vandalized Police Stations have also been recovered”.
Also, “The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered immediate nationwide deployment of anti-riot police unit – the Police Mobile Force (PMF) – to protect lives and property of all Nigerians and secure critical national infrastructure across the country.
The statement further reads “The IGP has also ordered massive deployment of Police operatives to strengthen security around correctional facilities nationwide. The orders are coming on the heels of increasing attacks, including acts of arson and malicious damage to public and private facilities as recorded in some states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Consequently, “The Commissioners of Police in the thirty-six (36) states of the federation and the FCT are to identify and isolate law-breakers from peaceful protesters; immediately arrest and diligently prosecute such perpetrators of violence in their respective commands”.
Meanwhile, the IGP has called for useful information that can lead to the re-arrest of the fleeing inmates and equally urged parents/guardians to prevail on their children/wards to steer-clear of acts of violence and criminality as the force will henceforth exercise the full powers of the law to prevent any further attempt on lives and property of citizens.