The police command in the Federal Capital Territory has arrested three people who attempted to loot some goods from the Next Cash and Carry supermarket gutted by fire on Sunday morning.

It had been reported that in a video widely circulated online, young people were seen pushing carts that they allegedly used to move out the suspected stolen items.

However, clarifying the state of the situation in a statement, the FCT Police command through its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said there was no successful case of looting at the popular supermarket.

Adeh, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, explained that officers and other security agents responded swiftly to the scene in order to put out the fire outbreak and prevent looting from the supermarket.

She also noted that an investigation is currently ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire, adding that so far, no casualty has been recorded.

The police spokesperson listed those arrested as Ali Audu aged 18 Years, Yahaya Yunusa aged 20 Years and Sahabi Abubakar aged 20 years.

Her statement read; ”Today Sunday, 26th December 2021, at about 11:15hours there was a report of a fire outbreak incidence at Next Cash and Carry Supermarket at Jahi District of the FCT.

”Upon receipt of the information, a team of Police officers attached to Mabushi Police Divisional Headquarters responded swiftly to the scene where a concerted effort of the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, Julius Berger Fire Service and members of other security agencies were deployed to manage the situation, minimize damage, extinguish the inferno and ensure the maintenance of law and order.

”Well-meaning members of the surrounding communities came out en masse and helped in evacuating goods and other valuables from the supermarket to a safe location within the area with the supervision of police officers of the Command who were on the ground.

”This is contrary to the news making the rounds as there is no successful case of looting or carting away of goods from the store. The suspects who made attempts to cart away goods from the store and were promptly arrested include (1) Ali Audu aged 18 Years; (2) Yahaya Yunusa aged 20 Years; and (3) Sahabi Abubakar aged 20 Years,” the statement said.

Adeh stated that the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Sunday Babaji, also visited the scene alongside the Minister for State, FCT, Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, for an on-the-spot assessment and supervision of activities at the scene.

(Daily Trust)

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