Report by Kamil Opeyemi
Akwa Ibom State Police Command has disclosed that its operatives have arrested 15 suspects allegedly involved in the destruction of banks in Oron Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Oron on Sunday.
“We received information that some banks were attacked in Oron local government and the police immediately swung into action.
“As we speak about 15 persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.
“The Commissioner of Police, Mr Olatoye Durosinmi expressed sadness about the situation and directed Divisional Police Officers in the affected local governments to ensure that there is no further break down of law and order,” he said.
MacDon added that commissioner has called on residents to be law abiding as anyone caught vandalising public property would be dealt with decisively.
He said that the Police would do everything possible to ensure that Akwa Ibom remained one of the most peaceful state in Nigeria.
NPO Reports had on Friday reported that the attack occurred when some youths protested over scarcity of Naira notes in the said local government.
It was gathered that, residents are already afraid that banks in the area may not open on Monday following alleged directive by the union of bank employees to their members not to go to work where there were attacks on banking facilities.
A source in the area said no fewer than three banks located along Oron road in the local government and a Cold Room belonging to a member of National Assembly were destroyed during the protest.