11, 12 year old children part of looting – Navy

Naval authority in charge of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS BEECROFT, last Friday revealed how it arrested children between the ages of 11 and 12 years for allegedly participating in the looting that later characterized the #EndSARS protest.

It disclosed that it actually arrested 41 persons and that only ten were adults and that the minors among them were handed over to their parents and guardians with a stainr warning for them to.keep close watch on them.

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The Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Ibrahim Shettima, who made this shocking revelation while addressing media men said command also recovered goods worth over N100 million, which he claimed the urchins looted from different shops and malls in Lagos.

The Commander who was represented by the Executive Officer of the base, Commander, Andrew Zidon, said most of the teenagers were arrested around Surulere, Ijora, Ajegunle

Aside, the goods looted, he said naval officers also recovered a black coloured Prado Jeep which he said allegedly stole from the Nigetian Ports Authority (NPA) by urchins before they set the building on fire.

“Beginning from around October 19, 2020, Lagos State plunged into a civil unrest characterized by riots, looting and reported widespread criminal activities by hoodlums and miscreants. The Nigerian Navy responded to the crisis in an effective and timely manner to help ensure the return of normalcy within its Area of Operations.

This operation was conducted under the Lagos State Security architecture code named OP MESA which designates Apapa, Orile, Ijora, Costain, Surulere, Mile 12, Amukoko etc as the Area of Responsibility for the Nigerian Navy.

“In the course of carrying out our task, the Base conducted patrols and took all necessary measures within the ambit of the Law as well as Internal Security Standard Operating Procedure for the Armed Forces of Nigeria to help restore peace and order. This necessitated working with sister services as well as other Law enforcement agencies including the Nigerian Police.

“In this regard, NNS BEECROFT deployed her personnel to Tin-Can Island Port and Apapa Wharf to safeguard those critical national assets. Furthermore, additional personnel were deployed to secure all NNPC installations at Tarkwa Bay Island including Terminals/Tanks Farms and the Atlas Cove Jetty.

Furthermore, Harbour Patrols were conducted around the Ports and Lagos Anchorage to prevent miscreants from attacking visiting merchant vessels.

“NNS BEECROFT also assisted in the securing of the Nigerian Port Authority Headquarters at Marina after the building was invaded by hoodlums who looted and put fire to the building. Own personnel responded quickly on receipt of a distress call by the management.

On deployment, our personnel arrested some of the hoodlums and evacuated some NPA staff to the Base, some of which required medical attention. Nigerian Navy personnel are currently deployed at the headquarters.

Furthermore, the Base working in conjunction with NPA security also recovered a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV stolen from the HQ. The vehicle is currently in the Base for safe custody” he added

Commodore Shettima further said in the course of carrying out its activities within the period, the Base conducted over 200 active patrols and responded to over 50 distress calls from citizens and organizations.

He said In the course of the operation, 41 individuals were arrested for partaking in various criminal acts, including looting and attacks on innocent citizens of the state, they will be handed over to the Nigerian Police today.

He said a large number of looted items were recovered at various locations across and evacuated to the Base.

“These items include vehicles, household appliances, industrial equipment, food stuff, clothes, jewelries, bicycles estimated at over 100 million Naira. In fact, a large truck and Mini Bus were also discovered loaded with looted items about to be taken out of State. NNS BEECROFT is currently working with the Lagos State Government for the handover of the items and their return to the rightful owners” he said.