Abdullahi Bello, the divisional police officer (DPO) of Kubwa, Abuja, has noted that he was almost stabbed by the hoodlums who looted the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp.
Recall that last Tuesday, a mob invaded the NYSC camp and made way with a lot of things, carted away items including mattresses and foodstuffs.
Bello said he and his men had to calm down so that the hoodlums wont attack them.
Bello spoke during an interview with NAN, adding that all efforts to convince the hoodlums, that there was no COVID-19 palliative item stored in the camp warehouse fell on deaf ears.
“When they flooded the orientation camp on Saturday, we talked to them and even opened the warehouse for them to see that there were no palliative materials in the store,” he said.
“Today, we did the same, talking to them, but they did not listen. They started throwing stones while some pulled out knives and whatever.
“They advanced towards the warehouse where items and foodstuffs meant for the incoming youth corps members were kept. They looted and made away with foodstuffs, equipment and even old mattresses in the camp.
“I was almost stabbed by them.”
The DPO said 20 officers were initially deployed to safeguard the camp but more officers were later sent in as reinforcement when things were getting out of hand.
“We deployed additional 20 officers, making 40 personnel,” he said.
Bello could not confirm if people were shot dead during the incident, but added that at least 38 persons were arrested in connection with the looting.
