Fresh facts have surfaced on how hoodlums who disguised as EndSARS protesters on Friday vandalised and looted popular mall, Memories Superstores in Sapele, Delta State.
The hoodlums invaded the mall about 11am, defying the 48-hour curfew imposed on Thursday morning by the State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.
NewsNet investigation revealed that the mall may have been targeted by the hoodlums who carted away goods worth millions of naira.
A dependable source told NewsNet that majority of the hoodlums who were below twenty years broke through the fence and main entrance into the mall.
The source said, “When the hoodlums gained access into the mall, there was one man who was not picking anything but simply directing them on what to do.
“They(hoodlums) fled the scene following the intervention of men of the Nigerian Army, 19 Battalion, Koko.
“From the way the attack went, I suspect that it was orchestrated by some persons who are jealous and envious of the progress of the mall which has over years grown to be the best in the Sapele area.
“I seriously suspect so because I don’t see any reason why the mall was attacked without any protest and during curfew hours”, said the source.
Effort to reach management of Memories Superstores, Sapele was unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report.
However, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta State Police Command, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the attack by the hoodlums to NewsNet.
She said, “Goods worth 12million naira and Seventy-five naira cash were looted by the hoodlums. Some of them were said to be from within the neighbourhood, and some residents have equally said they can identify some of the boys if they see them.
“The hoodlums may have set the mall ablaze if not for the intervention of soldiers. No arrest has been made but investigations are still ongoing”, said the Police image-maker.