#EndSARS Mayhem: 229 Suspected Hoodlums Arrested For Arson, Murder, Stealing Others In Lagos

#EndSARS Mayhem: 229 Suspected Hoodlums Arrested For Arson, Murder, Stealing Others In Lagos

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice said on Saturday that the police had arrested 229 suspected hoodlums and their case files were being evaluated preparatory to prosecution on charges of arson, murder, stealing, malicious damage of properties, assault, among others.

The suspected hoodlums were arrested in connection with the mayhem unleashed on the state between Tuesday and Wednesday after they hijacked the peaceful protest of youths against police brutality by operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police personnel tagged #EndSARS especially in the aftermath of the Lekki toll gate shootings by soldiers.

A statement by the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Kayode Oyekanmi, said the state’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Olayinka Adeyemi, had gone round relevant police formations with her team “to evaluate files of those arrested by the police with a view to determining those that have prima facie case made against them.”

The statement read in part, “Two hundred and twenty-nine (229) suspects were arrested by the police for various criminal offences, ranging from arson, murder, stealing, malicious damage of properties and assault before and after the state-wide curfew imposed by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to restore law and order.

“After the evaluation exercise, those that have cases to answer will be arraigned before the courts on Monday, while the release of those that have no case to answer will be ensured.

“Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) while calling on Lagosians to maintain peace, law and order in their respective communities, pledged the commitment of the state government to uphold the rule of law at all times.”