Armed youths alleged to be loyalists to the suspended chairman of Uvwie local government area of Delta state, Mr. Henry Baro, on Friday attacked the premises of Shoprite Shopping Mall, in Warri, amid looting, destruction and injuring customers at the mall.
Sources told DAILY POST that Baro, who was suspended last August by the Delta State House of Assembly over alleged misconduct, allegedly invited the youths to settle scores after a quarrel with a Naval official at the Shoprite.
Following the ugly incident, the state police command late Friday issued a statement, vowing to deal decisively with anyone found culpable in the attack and wanton destruction of the mall.
The statement which was signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, said that a management staff of Shoprite had called the police in Ekpan to lodge a report that the Mall has come under attack by armed thugs.
“On January 8, 2016 at about 11am, one Akume, the Operations Manager of Shoprite Shopping Mall, Warri informed the DPO Ekpan Division on phone that some persons have invaded the shopping Mall.
“He said that the invaders beat, robbed and injured customers and sales personnel at the mall,” Kalu said.
According to the police spokesperson, based on the report, a police patrol team was quickly mobilized to the scene and arrested one suspect while others took to their heels.
She further stated that police investigation revealed that one Henry Baro, the suspended chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council had an altercation with a Naval rating identified as Ma’arafu in the shopping mall.
“In the process the said Henry Baro invited his community Youths who invaded the shopping mall and attacked anyone on sight.
“However, police detectives attached to State CID Asaba have commenced discreet investigation into the incident and any one found to be culpable would be brought to book,” Kalu said.
