Delta Mall: Police reportedly flees as “hoodlums” loot Shoprite, other shops
Young men reportedly descended on a mall in Delta State; stealing what they could lay their hands on, and wrecking some.
The “violent” men reportedly took advantage of the absence of mobile police officers to raise hell at the mall, Friday morning.
Delta Mall is located at Effurun Roundabout, Warri, in Delta State. A Shoprite outlet within the mall was also looted.
READ: “We’re investigating Delta Mall invasion” – Police
Some say the attack was a carefully planned robbery disguised as mere invasion by “angry” youth. But that’s not the main story.
Police officers, NewsroomNG gathered, were reportedly chased from the venue by hoodlums allegedly loyal to one “chief thug” called “Henry Baron.”
A mobile police officer working at the mall allegedly harassed Baron, an action that infuriated followers of the notorious thug.
They mobilised themselves and approached the mall. As the thugs approached, the police were said to have taken to their heels leaving the mall exposed.
The hoodlums, most of them young men, then descended on the mall damaging its stalls and stealing the goods put up for sale.
This lasted for about one hour with the police nowhere in sight. The police later returned with reinforcement to restore order, eyewitnesses say.
A suspected hoodlum was reportedly arrested with seven phones in his pocket.
State police spokesperson, Kalu Amadi Celestina, confirmed in a statement that one person was arrested
She also said the police is investigating the incident. She, however, refused to confirm or deny whether police officers fled the scene.
This article has been updated..
