‘Arrested for curfew violation, paraded as looter,’ says suspect

“This is not the Nigeria I served and retired in.”

A 76-year-old man, Fidelis Iyamu, said that he was arrested by security agents for curfew violation during the #EndSARS protest  but was paraded as a looter of Nigeria  Custom Service warehouse by the Edo state police command.

Iyamu, who claimed he was a retired army officer, was among the suspects paraded by the  Edo State Police Commissioner, Johnson Kokumon, for allegedly looting warehouse and palliatives from government’s warehouse.

The commissioner had while parading the suspects, said the suspects looted the Custom warehouse, private warehouse  and  state government warehouse housing palliatives during the #EndSARS protest.

Speaking with journalists shortly after his parade, Iyamu said he was in search of herbs for his sick grand child who had defied all orthodox treatment when he was arrested.

He showed an identity card to journalists.

“I have spent so much money at the hospital but to no avail, before someone hinted of a traditional healer who can cure his child.

“I was arrested at Aduwawa by Edo broadcasting corporation at bout 9pm for violating curfew but now they are saying I am a looter of warehouse.  At my age, can I carry a bag of rice?

“My grandchild has been sick, I have spent lots of money at the hospital without cure, then someone introduced me to a traditional healer who can cure the ailment.”

He said he was coming from the healer’s home when he was arrested by soldiers.

“I know there was curfew but it was the life of my grandson. I explained to them but they didn’t listen. I didn’t steal while serving the country, is it now that I am 76 years old that I will go and steal?”

He said, “I have never stolen in my life. I am not rich, but I am not a thief. This is not the Nigeria I served and retired in.”