Police carryout mass arrests after attack on SARS operational base in Rivers

Kelechi Kas

Police have carried out mass arrests on Friday in Oyigbo Local Government of Rivers State after unknown gunmen attacked the operational base of the Special Ant-Robbery Squad, SARS, on Thursday, killing one of the officers.

Eyewitnesses say people going about their daily activities were summarily arrested by the police and whisked away.

They added that the area has been deserted over the fear of arrest as police vehicles continue to parade communities in search of locals to arrest.

The Rivers State Police Command on Friday said a total of 22 persons have so far been arrested in connection with the attack on the SARS base.

Nnamdi Omoni, the state Police Public Relations Officer said that order had also been restored in Oyigbo community.

Omoni said that the state Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, had ordered an investigation into the incidents, adding that security had been beefed up in the area to restore law and order.

He said, “Our SARS office in Oyigbo was attacked. We lost one of our personnel and our patrol vehicle was burnt. We have arrested 22 suspects in connection with the incident and investigation is ongoing.

“We have also stabilised the area and security beefed up.”