End SARS protest: Two policemen killed, burnt to ashes, others beheaded in Abia

The Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Janet Agbede has disclosed that the #EndSARS protesters in the state killed no fewer than two policemen, out of which one was burnt to ashes and the other beheaded.

Agbede also said the incident which took place in the state on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, had the policemen robbed of their arms.

The Commissioner of Police in a press briefing alleged that 5 banks were looted and about 102 private and government-owned cars burnt by the protesters.

While revealing that about 18 persons have so far been arrested with one FNC rifle with 12 rounds of five ammunition and other weapons, she dispelled insinuations that Fulanis are grouping to launch an attack on the people of the state.

According to her: “On October 4, 2020, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu NPM, Mni, in response to what appeared to be a general demand enforced by a nationwide protest tagged “#ENDSARS after critical analysis of the situation announced a ban on Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to douse tension. Despite the ban, the protest like the wildfire continued to spread across the country.

“In Abia, it initially appeared to be peaceful which necessitated giving them Police protection. However, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, the #ENDSARS Protesters brutally murdered two Police Officers, beheaded and burnt one of them to ashes. They also robbed them of their arms. The hoodlums looted and burnt a building housing a unit of the Police at old Zone 6 Annex Aba. They attempted attack on police stations simultaneously and Correctional Service Centre at Umuahia with intent to set them ablaze but was repelled by the Police in conjunction with the Military.

“Furthermore, the #ENDSARS protesters looted and burnt the following in the State:

a) Five banks

b) One High Court

c) One Magistrate Court

d) Aba South Town Hall and the Church therein.

e) Abia State Fire Service building at Aba

t) One hundred and two Government and private-owned vehicles

e) Dislodged traders at Onions, Yam and Water Melon Markets in Aba

h) Street lights in Aba and Umuahia City.

“Also, on October 24, 2020, the hoodlums break open a warehouse opposite Golden Guinea in Umuahia where scanty bags of fertilizers and few bags of rice for replanting preserved with chemical were kept and started stealing them. However, following a distress call, a combined team of the Police and the Military timely arrived and repelled them.

“As at now, a total number of eighteen (18) persons were arrested with one FNC rifle with 12 rounds of live ammunition and other weapons of violence in connection with the killings, looting and burnings.

“I would like to use this medium to debunk the rumour that the Fulanis are grouping for an attack on Abians. This rumour is not only false but the handwork of those intending to cause more tension and confusion across the state. I WIsh to reassure the law-abiding citizens and residents in the State to go about their lawful businesses as the law enforcement agencies are ever ready to protect their lives and properties.” She added.