Plateau: 307 suspects arrested over looting of COVID-19 palliatives

The Plateau state government says it has arrested 307 suspects over the recent vandalisation and looting of palliatives from warehouses in the state.

A mob had broken into warehouses where COVID 19 palliatives were stored in Buruku and Jos, the state capital.

The government had issued an ultimatum to the looters to return all items to the nearest local government office before Wednesday.

A 24 -hour curfew which was declared on Saturday is still in force.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, Danladi Atu, secretary to the state government (SSG), said security agents are trailing the looters.

He said some of the looted items were not fit for consumption as they were meant for planting.

He lamented that majority of community and traditional leaders who promised to engage their subjects had refused to do so, resulting in the widespread looting and destruction.

“In our last engagement, the resolution they took themselves was that they were going back to address their people, ” he said.

“Regrettably, the security council has noted that more than 70 per cent of these community and traditional leaders have not engaged their people; if they had engaged their people, perhaps their subjects would not have been found in this wanton destruction.

“Government calls on them to do so and submit their report latest by next Monday.”

Chrisantus Ahmadu, commissioner for justice, said the trial for the suspected looters will commence on Tuesday.

He said the state had set up seven courts for the trial to ensure that hose found guilty face the full wrath of the law.

Ahmadu added that the courts will also prosecute violators of the curfew.