Looters in Osun start returning stolen items after governor's warning

Some of those who participated in widespread looting in Osun State last week have started returning the items they took.

Since a warehouse used to store COVID-19 palliatives meant for distribution was discovered and looted in Lagos last week, similar discoveries have been made in a handful of other states across the country.

Hundreds of people trooped to the Cocoa-Ceramic Industry in Ede, Osun on Friday, October 23, 2020, where palliatives were stored, and made away with numerous items.

Private properties were also hit by mobs, including Tuns Farm, where an employee was killed, and Omoluabi Garment Factory, where at least five employees were injured.

State governor, Gboyega Oyetola, on Sunday, October 25, gave the looters 72 hours to return the looted items or face the wrath of the law.

He promised the looters who observed the 72-hour amnesty would be forgiven.

The Osun State Government displayed some of the items that have been returned by looters on Tuesday, October 27.

The items included generator sets, refrigerators, motorcycles, grinding machines and others.

"I am happy that some of the looters decided to heed the call within the amnesty time to voluntarily return the loots and items that had been stolen.

"The intention is to assist the various owners of these items to have the opportunity of getting their property and belongings back," Oyetola said at the Government House on Tuesday.

The governor's 72-hour ultimatum is set to end on Wednesday, October 28, after which he said those who fail to comply will be tracked down and brought to justice.

He said law enforcement agencies will begin door-to-door search operations for the looted items from Thursday, October 29.

The Osun Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie, said on Tuesday a total of 87 people had so far been arrested for the looting.

He said the suspects will be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigation.